The dismissal of Mohamed Raagib Ahmed, the Deputy Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy, has raised eyebrows across the Maldives, especially after his legal challenge regarding the city status of Gdh. Thinadhoo. On Thursday, Raagib filed a constitutional case in the High Court, questioning the validity of the island's city status, citing concerns about discrepancies in the population data used to qualify the island.
The Allegations Against Thinadhoo’s City Status
Raagib’s legal battle has brought to light several serious allegations surrounding the population data submitted by the Thinadhoo Council to support the island's application for city status. According to his claims, the data presented was riddled with errors and inaccuracies.
Inflated Population Figures
One of the key allegations is that the population count submitted by the council included 115 deceased individuals. This raises significant doubts about the reliability of the population figures used to qualify Thinadhoo for city status.
Duplicate Identification Cards
Additionally, Raagib points to instances where identification cards were duplicated, suggesting that some individuals may have been counted more than once. This further undermines the credibility of the data provided to justify Thinadhoo’s city status.
Discrepancies with Official Data
The biggest red flag in this case, however, lies in the mismatch between the population data submitted by the council and the figures held by the Department of National Registration (DNR). According to official DNR records, Thinadhoo’s population was recorded as 7,924 as of November 17, far below the required threshold of 10,000 people necessary for city status.
Raagib is now seeking to have the city status granted to Thinadhoo annulled, along with the invalidation of all administrative actions that have been taken since the decision.
Raagib’s Dismissal: A Coincidence or a Statement?
Raagib's filing of the case coincided with his dismissal from his position as Deputy Minister. The President’s Office confirmed his removal, with Chief Spokesperson Heena Waleed making an official announcement on X (formerly Twitter). “The President today sacked the Deputy Minister of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy, Al-Ustaz Mohamed Raagib Ahmed, following a court case against the state,” Waleed wrote.
The timing of the dismissal has led to speculation that the decision may have been influenced by Raagib’s legal actions. However, no official reasons for his dismissal have been provided.
Questions Surrounding Thinadhoo’s City Status
The controversy surrounding Thinadhoo's city status dates back to August 2023 when the island was granted city status by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. At the time, the DNR recorded Thinadhoo’s population as 7,906, which was still short of the required 10,000. However, the Elections Commission’s report on administrative constituencies for the 20th Parliament indicated a population of 10,150, further complicating the situation.
These discrepancies have sparked widespread concern, with critics questioning the methods used to determine Thinadhoo’s eligibility for city status. If the population data is inaccurate, the legitimacy of the city status decision could be in jeopardy.
What’s at Stake for Thinadhoo?
The legal challenge filed by Raagib has the potential to reshape the future of Thinadhoo’s governance. If the High Court accepts the case, it could not only affect the island’s city status but also raise broader concerns about the integrity of administrative decisions regarding city status qualifications across the Maldives.
The outcome of this case could set a significant legal precedent for how population data is handled and scrutinized in future city status applications.
