Parliament Approves Bill to Reduce Size of Island Councils 

Parliament has approved amendments to the Decentralisation Act aimed at reducing the size of island councils, following a vote held during today’s sitting. The bill, submitted by PNC parliamentary group leader and Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah, passed with 54 votes in favour and 11 against.

The legislation was adopted with an additional proposal from Funadhoo MP Mohamed Mamdhooh, who called for granting the Local Government Authority (LGA) the power to approve government projects if an island or city council fails to issue approval within a stipulated timeframe. Mamdhoom’s proposal was carried with 56 votes in favour, three against and three abstentions, and has been incorporated into the amended bill.

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Under the revised structure, council sizes will be determined according to population tiers. Islands with fewer than 2,000 residents will elect three councillors instead of the current five, while islands with more than 2,000 residents will elect five councillors rather than the present seven. The changes are set to take effect from the next local council election, scheduled for March 2026.

The vote follows parliament’s approval earlier this week of constitutional amendments to abolish atoll councils. All related adjustments have now been reflected in the updated Decentralisation Act.

Provisions ensuring women’s representation have been retained, though revised in line with the reduced council sizes. Councils electing three members will reserve one seat for women, while those electing five members will continue to allocate two seats.

In addition to the Decentralisation Act amendments, parliament also accepted several other government-submitted bills during today’s sitting. 

• Amendment bill to the Fiscal Responsibility Act, submitted by Huraa MP Dr. Anaara Naeem on behalf of the government The bill was sent to Publics Account Committee
• A Bill on Land Transportation, presented to Parliament on behalf of the government by Kurendhoo MP Mohamed Shamin Habeeb, was accepted and sent to the Committee on National Development And Heritage. 
• The amendment to the Tourism Act (Act no: 2/99) proposed by North Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Sinan on behalf of the government was sent to Committee on Economic Affairs