The Election Commission of Maldives (ECM) has confirmed that a general public referendum concerning the composition of the Addu City Council will be held on 25 October, following a formal decree issued by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
The landmark vote will allow residents of three wards—Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo, and Feydhoo—to determine whether they wish to establish separate, dedicated local councils for their respective administrative areas.
The referendum, executed under the provisions of the recently ratified General Referendum Act, comes as a direct response to a large number of petitions and arguments submitted by residents of the three wards advocating for changes in their local governance structure. President Dr Muizzu has stated that seeking the direct views of the people via a public vote was crucial for ensuring responsive local administration.
Under the President’s decree, the EC is tasked with conducting a public referendum tailored to the specific geographical areas.
The referendum will determine whether separate councils should be established for Addu Feydhoo, Addu Hulhudhoo and Addu Meedhoo. Voters will also decide whether to create a single council - Addu Hulhumeedhoo Council - to administer both Addu Hulhudhoo and Addu Meedhoo.
The primary objective of the referendum is to seek the opinion of residents concerning the establishment of dedicated councils versus unified administration across selected wards.
The ECM has finalised the logistics for the vote, which is viewed as a landmark move toward decentralisation within Addu City. Polling stations will operate from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm on 25 October, and official results are slated to be announced the following day, the 26th.
The outcome of this referendum will fundamentally reshape the administrative landscape of Addu City.
President Dr Muizzu has affirmed that the government will remain impartial in the upcoming referendum.