President Dr Mohamed Muizzu ratified the 17th Amendment to the Decentralisation Act and the 8th Amendment to the Local Council Elections Act on Monday.
The Decentralisation Act amendment was passed by the 20th People’s Majlis at its 26th sitting of the third session of 2025, held on 27 November, while the amendment to the Local Council Elections Act was approved during the same sitting.
The amendment to the Decentralisation Act abolishes atoll councils, which will cease to operate after the next local council elections. Governance across the 21 administrative constituencies—excluding those designated as cities—will now be carried out solely by island councils. These councils will be accountable to the Local Government Authority (LGA) and answerable to residents of their respective islands.
A new population-based structure for island councils has also been established. Councils on islands with fewer than 2,000 people will comprise three councillors, including one female member. Councils on islands with 2,000 or more inhabitants will consist of five councillors, including two female members.
The amendment specifies the number of members for city councils as follows: cities with populations between 10,000 and 25,000 will have seven members, including the seats reserved for a women’s representatives; cities with populations between 25,000 and 50,000 will have 11 members, including the women’s seats; and cities with populations over 50,000 will have 15 members, including the women’s seats.
Exceptions apply to Malé and Fuvahmulah City Councils. Malé City Council will comprise the mayor and representatives corresponding to the city’s delegation to the People’s Majlis, while Fuvahmulah City Council will include the mayor and one representative from each of its eight wards. Women’s representation in city councils will be distributed equally across constituencies, in accordance with regulations issued by the Elections Commission.
Further changes include a revised structure for Women’s Development Committees (WDC), with the Chairperson designated as a full-time, elected office. The LGA Board will also include one member elected from among the WDC Chairpersons.
The amendment outlines circumstances requiring a council member to vacate office, including withdrawing from the political party under which they were elected, joining another party, or registering as a party member after being elected as an independent.
Following its publication in the Government Gazette, the 17th Amendment to the Decentralisation Act has now come into force.
The amendment to the Local Council Elections Act introduces additional revisions to strengthen the framework governing City Council and Island Council elections. It also requires by-elections to fill vacancies on Local Councils to be held twice a year.
This amendment has taken effect upon publication in the Government Gazette.
Both legislative changes follow the ratification of the Seventh Amendment to the Constitution of the Maldives on Monday, which formally abolished the establishment of atoll councils.
