President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has issued the resettlement of Hirimaradhoo residents to Hanimaadhoo in Haa Dhaalu Atoll under Presidential Decree No. 36/2025, which amends Decree No. 2/2025 on inhabited islands.

The decision brings administrative and electoral changes ahead of the 2026 Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections.

Under the decree, residents currently being relocated will be counted as part of the Hanimaadhoo constituency for the elections scheduled for 4 April 2026. The adjustment follows Section 8(h) of the Elections General Act (Act No. 11/2008), which states that individuals being resettled are deemed electors of the island they are moving to. This allows the Elections Commission to prepare the voters’ registry based on Hanimaadhoo during the transition period.

The amendment was made under the authority granted to the President through Section 134(a) of the Decentralisation Act (Act No. 7/2010), which permits changes when an inhabited island’s population is formally transferred to another location. The decree confirms that, once the relocation is completed and residents are registered in Hanimaadhoo, Hirimaradhoo will be declared an uninhabited island.

An updated list of inhabited islands has been published in the Government Gazette to reflect the administrative change. The amendment will take effect from the date the Government officially announces the completion of the resettlement and registration process.