President Muizzu Signs 19th Amendment to Decentralization Act
The new law requires strict protocols before altering or removing territory governed by local councils. | Photo: President’s Office
President Muizzu has officially signed the 19th Amendment to the Decentralization Act (Act No. 7/2010) into law, establishing a structured legal framework that obliges local councils to cooperate fully with the central administration on state development projects.
Reports state that parliament passed the legislation last week during the 20th People’s Majlis session, targeting improved project timelines and clearer rules for allocating state land.
advertisement
advertisement
Under the new law, national authorities must follow strict protocols before removing or altering any territory currently governed by a local council. To streamline civil operations, the administration gains the authority to set up integrated service hubs directly inside administrative areas, allowing central government agencies to deliver services straight to local residents.
The amendment also restructures how the state manages municipal holdings. Public assets and resources originally overseen by atoll councils—which were shifted to the Local Government Authority under a previous amendment—will now transfer directly to the Ministry of Finance. The law took immediate effect following its official publication in the Government Gazette on 1 September 2026.
