President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, in his commitment to uphold democratic principles, has decided to open the floor for public discussion on the formation and election of councils.
Speaking to the people of GDh Fiyoari, on Tuesday evening, the President said that he has already expressed the idea of reducing the number of councils and that changes will be made in consultation with the people discussed. He pointed out that one concern was that reducing the number of councilors would affect democratic representation.
Elaborating on his proposal, the President emphasized his openness to alternative solutions. He suggested that the current number of councilors could be retained, with the president and vice president assuming full-time roles, and the councilors receiving an allowance for each sitting. He also noted that developed countries have councilors in this way.
By doing so, he said, it does not affect democratic values and values. The President also proposed other methods, such as joint candidacies and ideological partnerships, to ensure a diverse range of voices in the councils.
He said the Women's Development Committee (WDC) can also be changed in the same manner. As such, the President said that the President and Vice President of the Committee can be made up of two full-time members, and the remaining members can be made "per sitting" or those who receive allowances for the days they attend the meeting.
The President said that while the councilors are converted into such allowances, the amendment to the act to address the concerns of the WDC members will be made available to part-time councilors by making the allowance available to them in the law with the same pay status.
