Local Government Authority (LGA) has decided to hold discussions with Maldives Immigration, to issue diplomatic or official passports to mayors and counsellors. The decision was made by LGA, following a proposal by Thinadhoo City Council on issuing diplomatic passports to council members.
In a post shared on social media, Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar revealed that discussions were held with the Immigration, to secure diplomatic passports for all council members. LGA stated that the initiative aims to empower council members and give them the right status they deserve, as they are also elected by public.
Currently, diplomatic passports are issued to the leaders of the three primary branches of the state, judges from the Supreme Court of the Maldives and the High Court of the Maldives, chief judges of other courts and the state ministers. Additionally, such passports are also issued to individuals working for positions of a similar level, members of independent institutions, parliamentarians, senior officials of the security forces and their wives.