Parliament Approves Constitutional Amendments to Abolish Atoll Councils

Parliament has voted to amend the Constitution to dissolve atoll councils, marking a major shift in the country’s decentralisation framework. The amendments, submitted by Baarah MP Ibrahim Sujau, sought to remove the constitutional requirement for establishing atoll councils. The proposal secured 75 votes in favour, while 12 MPs voted against it.

MP Sujau submitted three separate constitutional amendments aimed at eliminating provisions that mandate the formation of atoll councils. He also proposed the introduction of a recall mechanism allowing voters to decide whether Members of Parliament expelled from their political parties should retain their seats. However, the Committee of the Whole House removed the recall clause after Funadhoo MP Mohamed Mamdhooh moved to strike the government-backed proposal.

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The approved amendments revoke Article 230(b) of the Constitution, abolish Article 231(a)(3), and remove references to “atoll council” in Article 231(b). Once ratified, the changes mean that no members will be appointed to atoll councils in the general election scheduled for next year.

During the debate, MPs from both the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) and the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) raised concerns over the future of employees currently working under the atoll councils. Ruling party representatives assured that the government would provide alternative positions within the civil service.

Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad (Fittey) described the day as “a sad one” for atoll communities, arguing that capable leaders exist within the atolls to manage local affairs. “If there are enough people in Laamu Atoll who can be Speaker of the People’s Majlis, why shouldn’t there be anyone capable of running the Atoll Council,” he said, referring to Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, who represents the L. Fonadhoo constituency. 

Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Gafoor Moosa accused the government of seeking to dismantle the entire decentralisation mechanism, claiming that island chiefs would be appointed to replace local governance structures once the atoll councils are dissolved.

North Kulhudhuffushi MP Mohamed Dawoodh said that the responsibilities of atoll councillors were not clearly defined in law or the Constitution, adding that the overlap between the atoll council and the Kulhudhuffushi City Council had caused administrative difficulties and confusion.

MPs from the ruling party described the atoll councils as ineffective institutions, noting contradictions between the roles of atoll councils and island councils. Inguraidhoo MP and PNC parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Falah said the government aimed to empower island councils directly, stating that councillors would no longer need to “mediate” through an additional administrative layer.