Disheartened to See Separation of Meedhoo and Hulhudhoo, Will Respect Residents’ Wishes, Addu City Mayor Says

The Mayor of Addu City, Ali Nizar, said he was disheartened to see Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo separate from the city council but stressed that it should not diminish the sense of community among residents.

Speaking on social media, Nizar stated he did not want the administration of Addu City to collapse, but he respects the choices made by the people of Meedhoo and Hulhudhoo. He also praised the people of Feydhoo, describing their decision to remain under the city council as wise and forward-looking.

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“It is disappointing that the administration of Addu City has collapsed. This is not the outcome [I] wished to see. However, I respect and support the decision made by the cherished residents of Addu, Hulhudhoo, and Meedhoo. I hope that the administrative separation of Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo will put an end to the long-standing grievances of the people,” he wrote on Meta.

Nizar added that he hopes the creation of two separate councils will not prevent the long-standing concerns of the broader Addu City community from being addressed. He emphasised that Feydhoo’s choice to stay under the Addu City Council is essential for maintaining the development and progress of Addu Atoll.

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.

According to preliminary results released by the Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) last night:

• In Meedhoo, 84 percent of voters supported establishing a separate island council, with 847 votes in favour and 144 against, from 1,008 valid votes out of 2,347 eligible voters.
• In Feydhoo, 73.3 percent opposed a separate council, casting 1,784 votes against and 616 in favour, from 2,436 valid votes out of 4,355 eligible voters.
• In Hulhudhoo, 67.6 percent backed a separate council, with 723 votes for and 329 against, from 1,069 valid votes out of 2,874 eligible voters.

This marks the first referendum held in the Maldives under the Referendum Act, ratified on 16 September. The election recorded an approximate turnout of 47 percent of eligible voters.