President Dr Mohamed Muizzu ratified the Seventh Amendment to the Constitution of the Maldives on Monday, abolishing the establishment of atoll councils in the country. The amendment is now in effect following its publication in the Government Gazette.
The 20th People’s Majlis passed the Bill during its 24th sitting of the third session of 2025, held on 25 November. Under the amendment, atoll councils will be dissolved at the first local council elections following ratification. Existing atoll councils will remain in office until the mandates of the newly elected island and city councils are constituted.
The change also triggers revisions to the Local Council’s Election Act. This marks the eighth amendment to the Act. Article 1(a) has been updated to specify that the law now applies solely to elections for island and city councils, removing references to atoll councils. Article 2(a) has been similarly adjusted, while Article 5 — which previously set out the number of members on atoll councils — has been removed in full.
The relevant amendments to regulations and guidelines will be published in the Government Gazette within 30 days of the Act coming into effect.
