Newly Elected Councillors Sworn In Across Maldives

Councillors elected in last month’s local council elections took their oaths of office today as the term of the previous councils came to an end.

Swearing-in ceremonies were held across the Maldives for members elected to city and island councils, as well as members of Women’s Development Committees (WDCs). In Malé, the ceremony took place at the Social Center, while ceremonies in other islands and cities were scheduled throughout the day.

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Mayor Adam Azim, who secured a second term as Mayor of Malé, and the 17 newly elected councillors of the Malé City Council were administered their oaths by High Court Judge Hussain Shaneez Abdulla. Members elected to the Women’s Development Committee also signed their declarations during the ceremony.

The ceremony in Malé was attended by former councillors and foreign ambassadors residing in the Maldives.

Speaking at the ceremony, Azim said the council’s decisions would extend beyond the boundaries of Malé and should serve as examples of transparent and robust democratic governance in the Maldives.

“The decisions made by the council affect more than the Malé area. The decisions have to be transparent to the nation and strong examples for the democratic system,” he said.

Azim described the election of councillors as a sign of public trust and highlighted Malé’s position as the capital, administrative centre and most densely populated city in the country. He said the council would focus on sustainable urban management, improving municipal services and strengthening transparency and accountability.

He said waste management, street maintenance, public spaces, markets, historical sites and emergency services directly affect residents’ lives, adding that the council aimed to improve service quality while preparing the city for climate change.

Azim also stressed the importance of financial integrity and responsible budgeting, stating that the council would prioritise transparent spending and reforms when necessary.

During the closing section of his speech, Azim urged the government to place Hulhumalé under the jurisdiction of the Malé City Council, describing it as a longstanding request from residents of the Greater Malé region.

“It is also a very big plea of the residents of this region to release the jurisdiction of Greater Malé, including Hulhumalé, under the City Council.

“Fulfilling that matter, which the government is legally required to do, is a very big request I make to the President of the Republic,” Azim said.

The Local Government Authority (LGA) coordinated with councils to hold simultaneous ceremonies in islands at 9:00am. Oaths for councillors elected to the fifth term of councils were administered by judges or magistrates designated for each island.

According to the LGA, 678 councillor positions were available in this election, with 677 councillors elected before today’s ceremonies. The authority said 676 councillors took their oaths today, while arrangements will be made later for those who did not.

For the new term, 678 members are also required for Women’s Development Committees. The LGA said 673 members had been elected and 662 took their oaths today.

During the local council and WDC elections, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) secured the mayoral seats of all cities in the Maldives, with all incumbent mayors winning re-election. MDP candidates also secured all five WDC presidencies in the country’s cities. However, overall results from this month’s local council and WDC elections showed the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) leading the MDP by 21 seats, with 584 seats, or 43.23 percent, compared with the MDP’s 563 seats, or 41.67 percent.

Following the completion of swearing-in procedures and declaration signings, councils are expected to hold their first official meetings to elect deputy mayors and council vice presidents. Women’s Development Committees will also begin electing their vice presidents after declarations are signed.

The new councils and Women’s Development Committees will serve five-year terms.

The LGA said the ceremonies mark an important step in strengthening the decentralised governance system and improving service delivery closer to citizens.

Under the Decentralisation Act of the Administrative Divisions of the Maldives, swearing-in ceremonies for newly elected councillors and declaration signings for WDC members are a legal requirement at the start of each council term.