Gov’t Announces Plans to Abolish Atoll Councils and Introduce Local Governance Reforms

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to amend the Constitution to eliminate the election of Atoll Councils in the upcoming local council elections.

The announcement was made during his visit to Mathiveri, Alifu Alifu Atoll, as part of a wider tour of the atoll.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

Muizzu stated that the proposed amendments aim to strengthen the decentralisation system and empower the people. Under the reforms, each island council would work directly with the relevant ministries and state-owned companies. He said the Atoll Council no longer serves a purpose and that the Constitution would be amended to abolish it. He added that the necessary amendments would be submitted when the next parliamentary session opens.

Muizzu also outlined plans to reduce the number of councillors and reform the Women’s Development Committee. Under the proposals, islands with populations under 2,000 would have a three-member council, while islands with populations over 2,000 would have a five-member council.
Similar changes would apply to the Women’s Development Committee, with the Committee Chairperson becoming a full-time, elected position. He clarified that no major changes are planned for the committees in cities and city councils.

He described the reforms as measures to modernise the existing system and make it more responsive to the needs of the people. He further stated that he would propose an amendment to hold presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously, subject to approval through a public referendum.