The Local Government Authority has issued guidelines for the swearing-in of newly elected mayors, councillors and members of Women’s Development Committees (WDCs), ahead of ceremonies scheduled for May 17.

The authority said the swearing-in will be held simultaneously across all inhabited islands, marking the commencement of the fifth term of local councils. The guidelines outline procedures for administering the oath, signing of declarations by WDC members, and the subsequent election of deputy mayors and vice presidents of the committees.

LGA stated that ceremonies are to be conducted in a public manner, with participation from staff of island institutions encouraged. In instances where a judge is not present on an island, arrangements must be made by the council secretariat to appoint an authorised official to administer the oath. For ceremonies conducted online, the presiding authority must be notified in writing at least one day in advance.

Following the ceremonies, councils have been instructed to upload photos and relevant information through the designated portal and share visual material with the media. The authority also requires that details of councillors and WDC members be submitted via the portal within three hours of the first council meeting.

Preparations for the nationwide swearing-in are already underway across cities and islands. LGA noted that such procedures are mandated under the decentralisation framework, with similar ceremonies conducted at the beginning of previous council terms.