Civil Service Commission (CSC) has filed a case at the High Court of the Maldives to resolve the issues faced by civil servants contesting in local council elections, who are facing a prolonged period under suspension due to the indefinite postponement of the elections amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Civil servants contesting in the local council elections were suspended 30 days before the originally scheduled date for voting, in accordance to clause 13 of the Local Council Election Act. CSC stated it is seeking a legal solution for the suspended civil servants, as the local council elections have been postponed indefinitely. The commission stated the case was filed at the High Court under clause 18 of the Civil Service Act.
CSC further stated discussions were held with the Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) on April 21 to identify a fast solution for the issue. The commission noted the suspended civil servants have not received their salary and Ramadan allowances due to the indefinite suspension.
The Parliamentary Committee on Independent Institutions had also discussed the issue, and submitted a request to the Speaker of Parliament to fast track the special bill on local council elections in order to provide a solution for the suspended civil servants.