North Galolhu MP Submits Bill to Reinstate Atoll Councils

MP for the North Galolhu constituency, Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudoo), has submitted a bill to Parliament seeking to reverse the abolition of atoll councils and reinstate them under the previous decentralisation structure.

The existing atoll councils are due to be dissolved after the current term ends on 17 May, following a constitutional amendment passed last year and ratified by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on December 1, 2025.

In his bill, Ibrahim argues that the abolition of atoll councils under the Seventh Amendment to the Constitution reflected a decision taken by the President based on personal views, without sufficient research or parliamentary debate.

He also refers to another constitutional amendment introduced under President Muizzu, which provides for simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections. Ibrahim cites the 4 April referendum, in which 68.74 percent of voters rejected the proposal, as evidence of public opposition to reforms driven by the executive.

“Therefore, the main purpose of this bill is to reinstate the atoll councils as outlined in the Constitution,” he said.

The bill proposes amendments to Articles 230(b) and 231(b) of the Constitution to reintroduce atoll councils alongside island and city councils within the decentralised governance system. It also maintains provisions for the election of island and city council members through democratic elections.

Currently, atoll councils are not included in these constitutional provisions following their removal in the latest amendment.

Ibrahim argues that dissolving atoll councils undermines the constitutional framework for decentralisation. He also claims that the referendum outcome reflects broader public opposition to the legislative changes that led to their removal.

President Muizzu came to office with pledges to reform the decentralisation system, including establishing a dedicated ministry to strengthen local governance and restructuring council systems.