A referendum on jurisdiction in three Addu islands later this month

The Cabinet on Sunday approved administrative measures to conduct a referendum on the jurisdiction of the Addu City Council in three islands, scheduled for the last weekend of October.

On September 13, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced his intention to hold a vote on the composition of city councils in Addu City.

He stated that during the 2023 presidential campaign, he met with residents of Addu and discussed reforms to enhance the city’s governance structure.

According to the President’s Office, the Cabinet has resolved to hold a public vote on whether to establish separate councils for Addu Feydhoo, Addu Hulhudhoo, and Addu Meedhoo. Voters will also decide whether to form a unified council, Addu Hulhumeedhoo Council, to administer both Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo.

The referendum will be open to all registered voters in the constituency and is scheduled to take place on either October 24 or 25.

Additionally, the Cabinet has decided to deploy a ministerial-level team, led by the Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works, to assess jurisdictional changes in Addu following the general election. A technical team comprising individuals with expertise in Addu’s local context will also be formed to support this effort.

Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar has voiced concern over the decision, warning that a vote on restructuring the council could negatively impact the city’s development. He described the move as “bad” and said it would cast a “huge shadow” over progress.

On Sunday evening, President Muizzu reposted the President's Office news regardin this referendum and wrote on his X handle, "The government does not take any position on the upcoming referendum votes in Feydhoo, Hulhudhoo, and Meedhoo in Addu. There is no particular outcome preferred by the government. The government will carry out every decision made by the majority of the people".

This will be the first referendum conducted under the newly enacted Public Referendum Act.

As the vote approaches, population figures for the three islands stand as follows: Feydhoo has 5,810 residents, Hulhudhoo 3,742, and Meedhoo 3,074. These numbers will shape the voter base for the upcoming decision.