Joint Opposition parties have called on the authorities to lift the suspension on councilors of Gaaf Alif Atoll Council.

A statement released by the parties on Sunday referred to the three-month suspension slammed on the councilors by Local Government Authority (LGA) following their meeting with Indian Ambassador to the Maldives, Akhilesh Mishra. It noted that there were no laws banning council members from meeting any groups or individuals.

The parties defined the ruling by LGA as a move to further intimidate elected officials, citizens and a move to completely shut down the decentralized system of governance. These actions, the statement said, were carried out to consolidate power with one party for political leverage and was dictatorial in nature.

The statement noted that diktats of this nature from LGA only served to increase tensions between international partners. It also called on the Government and agencies to allow councils to fulfill their mandates as elected representatives.

It concluded by calling on LGA to reverse their decision and for the LGA to operate within the laws.