President to Establish Separate Councils for Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo in Addu
An ECM official holding a ballot to show observers on October 25, 2025 | Photo: ECM
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has designated Addu Hulhudhoo and Addu Meedhoo as two distinct inhabited islands following the public referendum in Addu City, and announced that separate island councils would be established for each island.
The decision was made through separate Presidential Decrees, following the public referendum held in Addu City on 25 October, in which residents of Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo voted in favour of forming their own island councils. In contrast, the residents of Feydhoo chose to remain under the jurisdiction of the Addu City Council.
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Accordingly, Addu Hulhudhoo and Addu Meedhoo have been added to Presidential Decree No. 2/2025, dated 5 February 2025, as two separate inhabited islands. The amendment also redefines Addu as Addu City, comprising Addu Hithadhoo, Addu Maradhoo, Addu Maradhoofeydhoo, and Addu Feydhoo.
President Muizzu also issued a separate decree to reconstitute the Addu City Council and formalise the establishment of the new island councils. The restructuring aims to strengthen local governance, improve administrative efficiency, and enhance community-level representation in Addu Atoll, the President’s Office said.
The changes were made under the powers vested in the President by the Constitution and the Decentralisation Act. The amendments will take effect when the next local councils are elected and their members assume office.
Once implemented, Addu City will function with a reconstituted city council, while Addu Meedhoo and Addu Hulhudhoo will each have independent island councils responsible for local administration. The upcoming local council elections will determine the representatives for these newly designated administrative divisions.
