ANFREL member in Maldives, the Transparency Maldives, explained the constitutional crisis brought about by the delay in the conduct of the Local Council Elections.

The elections, which were supposed to take place on 4 April 2020, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The delay, however, meant that the legal terms of the sitting councilors would expire without incumbent elects to replace them.

The Supreme Court on 29 May 2020, after the Parliament sought its advice, unanimously advised the Parliament that a legislation cannot change constitutional provisions and that the only solution to the problem will have to come either from a specific amendment to Article 231(c) or if that is seen as a more temporary fix, to include a transitionary provision after chapter 13 of the Constitution.

Know more here: "The Constitutional Crisis of the Delay in Local Council Elections: Explained"