President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans for sweeping reforms to the Maldives’ decentralisation framework, including the abolition of Atoll Councils and the reduction of Island council sizes in smaller islands.

Speaking to Alifu Alifu Mathiveri residents, the President announced that four key amendments will be proposed during the third session of Parliament this year. He said the proposals are intended to strengthen the decentralisation law, streamline governance, and place decision-making closer to the people by removing unnecessary administrative layers.

A central feature of the reforms is the proposed dissolution of Atoll Councils. President Dr Muizzu emphasised that under the new framework, Island Councils would work directly with Government ministries, bypassing the intermediate atoll-level structure. According to the President, this would reduce bureaucracy and enhance administrative efficiency.

Another amendment proposed by the President is to adjust the size of Island Councils based on population. In this regard, he added that islands with less than 2,000 residents would have three councillors, while larger islands would be allocated five.

The President further highlighted changes planned for Women’s Development Committees (WDCs). He added that WDC presidents would become full-time, salaried officials, elected by all island residents in the same manner as council presidents. He described this as a significant step towards empowering women in local governance.

President Dr Muizzu also shared the Administration’s intentions to propose the synchronisation of presidential and parliamentary elections. Officials have previously argued that such a move would considerably reduce state expenditure. The Elections Commission also estimated that combined elections could save the state at least MVR 130 million.

The President emphasised that the reforms aim to reflect public needs and ensure a more responsive, effective system of governance.