Former President Mohamed Nasheed has alleged that employees of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are being pressured to sign a petition supporting proposed amendments to the Decentralization Act.

The proposed legislation would give the Cabinet greater authority to remove certain lands, lagoons and reefs from local council jurisdictions and return them to central government control.

The allegations come as competing petitions have emerged over the controversial bill. An initial petition opposing the proposed amendments, submitted by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, has collected more than 4,000 signatures.

Meanwhile, a separate petition supporting the legislation has reportedly attracted 7,811 signatures so far.

In a post on X, Nasheed claimed the government began organizing the counter-petition after the opposition petition gained significant public support.

He alleged that SOE employees working in different islands were being intimidated or pressured into signing the petition.

The proposed amendments have generated continued political debate over the balance of authority between central and local governments.

Opposition figures have argued that the changes could weaken the country's decentralization system, while supporters maintain that greater central control may be necessary for implementing national development projects.

Nasheed's latest allegations add to the growing dispute surrounding the bill and the competing claims over its level of public support.