Members of the Malé City council have met with officials from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Monday, despite the Local Government Authority banning them from meeting foreign officials without prior permission.

Deputy mayor Shamau Shareef told RaajjeMV that the meeting was held by UNDP, under its ‘Smart City’ project.

He said that they met with the project’s consultant Nicholas Neal and other officials of UNDP.

While the LGA order states that councils can only meet with foreign diplomats and organizations after prior permission from the Home Ministry, RaajjeMV understands that the required approval was not sought prior to the meeting.

LGA, on 11 December, issued a circular, banning council members from meeting with foreign diplomats and organizations.

It was issued not long after British Ambassador James Dauris’ visit to Thinadhoo island of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll. His Indian counterpart was touring Gaafu Alifu at the time.

Following the order, Dauris said that this is 'the latest unfortunate step in the Maldives', while US Ambassador Atul Keshap called it ‘a further restriction on democracy and transparency’ in the country.

The opposition condemned LGA’s decision, saying that the only goal of the order is ‘to restrict the mandate of the Councils’.