Former President Mohamed Nasheed pledged to reinstate the revoked powers of the decentralized system of ruling, in a bid to empower citizens and empower Councils.

Speaking via a Facebook video to citizens of Vaikaradhoo, Nasheed said MDP candidates have contested for majority of the Councils. He said the candidates of MDP have the backing of joint opposition parties.

Speaking about the decentralized system of ruling, Nasheed said the chapter on decentralization was drawn up with high hopes. He said affairs of the nation had to be in a certain way to foster development, citing that governance was a key aspect of this.

“We have to give reassurance again, that Maldivian Democratic Party is striving to strengthen the decentralized system of ruling. Many changes had been brought to the laws under the chapter on decentralization. Councils have been severely restricted,” Nasheed said.

President Nasheed said the Councils have been stripped from their mandates and powers. He pledged to reverse this under an MDP tenure, further pledging development and maintaining the individuality of the Maldives.