President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the 17th Amendment to the Decentralisation Act (Act No. 7/2010), bringing extensive changes to the structure and functioning of local governance across the Maldives. The amendment was approved by the 20th People’s Majlis during its 26th sitting of the third session on 27 November 2025.

Under the new law, atoll councils will be abolished after the next round of local council elections - one of the most significant shifts to the country’s administrative framework since the Act was first introduced. With this change, each inhabited island, other than those designated as cities, will be governed exclusively by its island council, which will operate under the oversight of the Local Government Authority (LGA) and remain accountable to island residents.

The amendment also introduces a population-based structure for island councils. Islands with fewer than 2,000 residents will elect three councillors, including one female member, while islands with 2,000 residents or more will elect five councillors, including two female members.

Revisions were also made to the structure of city councils. The Malé City Council will be composed of a mayor and councillors corresponding to the number of parliamentary representatives elected from Malé City. The Fuvahmulah City Council will comprise a mayor and one councillor from each of the eight wards.

On women’s representation in city councils, the amendment requires the Elections Commission to allocate designated women’s constituencies evenly across all city wards, according to regulations issued by the Commission.

Significant changes have also been made to the Women’s Development Committees (WDCs). The position of WDC Chairperson will become a full-time, elected post, chosen directly by eligible voters of each constituency. Furthermore, the LGA Board will include one member elected from among the WDC Chairpersons nationwide.

The amendment also specifies the circumstances in which a council member must vacate office. A councillor will forfeit their seat if they withdraw from the political party under whose ticket they were elected, if they register with a different political party, or if they join any political party after having been elected as an independent candidate. With its publication in the Government Gazette, the 17th Amendment to the Decentralisation Act has now come into effect.