The decision to grant city status to Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo has come under scrutiny, with allegations of fraudulent data raising questions about the legitimacy of the move. Parliamentarians and legal experts have voiced concerns over the process, leading to a heated public debate about governance, transparency, and accountability.
Parliamentary Debate on Thinadhoo’s City Designation
MP Saudulla Hilmy, representing Thinadhoo, brought the issue to the floor of the parliament, highlighting irregularities in the process that led to the island’s designation as a city. According to MP Saudulla, public dissatisfaction has been growing over the accuracy of the population data used to justify the status upgrade.
“This issue is about more than just Thinadhoo. It’s about ensuring fairness and transparency in decision-making processes. We need to address these concerns to prevent similar cases in the future,” said MP Saudulla during the parliamentary session.
The controversy has sparked intense public interest, with many residents questioning whether the necessary legal requirements were met.
Legal Action Seeks to Revoke City Status
Adding to the debate, a constitutional case was filed in the High Court last week, seeking to overturn Thinadhoo’s city status. The case alleges that the island’s population falls short of the 10,000 residents required under the Decentralization of Administrative Areas Act.
Mohamed Raghib, a lawyer and former deputy minister, spearheaded the legal action. According to Raghib, inquiries made under the Access to Information Act revealed Thinadhoo’s population to be closer to 7,000. This figure is significantly lower than the threshold set by law.
Raghib also accused the Thinadhoo Council of submitting a falsified population list and called for a thorough investigation into the council's actions and the involvement of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
“This isn’t just a technical error—it’s a deliberate attempt to manipulate data for political gain. Such actions undermine public trust in governance,” Raghib stated.
The timing of Thinadhoo’s city status announcement has raised suspicions of political motivations. The decision was made during former President Solih’s administration, coinciding with his presidential campaign.
At the time, government reports cited a population of approximately 8,000, although only about 5,000 residents were reported to be living on the island. Critics argue that these numbers were inflated to serve political interests.
“This is a clear case of using state resources and influence for electoral advantage. The citizens deserve better accountability from their leaders,” said a political analyst familiar with the case.
Implications of the Case
If the High Court finds the allegations to be true, Thinadhoo could lose its city status. Such a decision would mark a significant precedent, reinforcing the importance of adhering to legal frameworks in governance.
The case has also spotlighted broader concerns about transparency and accountability in the decision-making process. It raises questions about how similar decisions are made and whether the public can trust the information provided by government institutions.
As the debate intensifies, many are calling for systemic reforms to ensure greater transparency in the future. Experts emphasize the need for stringent verification processes and independent oversight to prevent similar controversies.
The outcome of the High Court case will likely have far-reaching implications for governance in the Maldives, shaping public trust in the nation's leaders and institutions.
