Feydhoo Votes to Stay with Addu City Council, Meedhoo and Hulhudhoo Back Separate Councils

Preliminary results of today’s referendum in Addu City show that Feydhoo residents have opted to remain part of the city council, while Meedhoo and Hulhudhoo residents voted in favour of establishing separate island councils.

Raajje TV reported that out of 4,368 eligible voters in Feydhoo, 2,421 cast their ballots. Of these, 1,782 voted against forming a new council, 615 voted in favour, and 24 ballots were void. This represents a 55 percent turnout in Feydhoo, with 75 percent of voters opposing a separate council.

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In Meedhoo, 2,413 residents were eligible to vote, but only 42 percent participated. Preliminary results indicate that 841 voted for a separate council, 144 against, and 17 ballots were void.

Hulhudhoo recorded the lowest turnout, with 37 percent of its 2,867 eligible voters casting ballots. Among them, 720 supported a new council, 325 opposed, and 25 ballots were void.

A total of 18 ballot boxes were placed across the islands—three in Hulhudhoo, three in Meedhoo, five in Feydhoo, and seven in Malé. The vote count for all boxes is now complete, and the Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) will announce the final results tomorrow.

The election saw around 46 percent of the 9,256 eligible voters cast their ballots.

The referendum, held under a Presidential Decree, sought public opinion on whether Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo, and Feydhoo should remain under the Addu City Council or establish independent island councils. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said the vote was being held to honour a pledge made during his presidential campaign. He added that the government’s role is to facilitate the referendum and uphold the decision of residents, stressing that whichever outcome prevails, the administration will respect and support it, while also noting potential benefits should separate councils be established.

This marks the first election in the Maldives conducted under the Referendum Act.