President Mohamed Nasheed has decided to discharge all councillors from their positions in order to ensure that local council elections are free and fair. The terminations will be effective from 26 December 2010.
A press statement from the President’s Office on Saturday read:
The people will place one of the biggest responsibilities in national development on the local councils to be elected in February 2011. As Head of State, the President therefore believes he is duty-bound to take necessary steps and timely decisions to ensure that the elections are free and fair. Accordingly, with respect to the powers vested on him under Article 115 of the Constitution, the President has decided to discharge all councillors appointed by him, effective from 26 December 2010.
The President had in a radio address in September 2010 stated that he would remove all councillors ahead of local council elections.
