President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has assured public consultation will precede any proposed amendments to legislation, describing the forthcoming referendum on Addu City’s administrative zones as a historic milestone in local governance.

The referendum, scheduled for October, will be conducted by the Elections Commission once the relevant legislation is passed and ratified. Voters will decide whether each island in Addu Atoll should append “Addu” to its name and elect its own council, or whether the existing Addu City Council will continue to govern the islands collectively.

Speaking during the ninth edition of the Rayyithunnaa Eku podcast, the President said the vote reflected his Administration’s commitment to citizen-centred governance. He recalled pledges made during his campaign to address long-standing concerns over Addu’s administrative formation and emphasised that, under the decentralised system, it is citizens who must determine how the city is administered.

The President also announced wider reform measures. He said next year’s budget would allocate block grants to strengthen the judiciary’s financial independence, with a significant share earmarked for this purpose.

Addressing other public concerns, President Dr Muizzu noted that the current remuneration of former Presidents and Members of Parliament was misaligned with the nation’s economic realities and required revision. He also highlighted reforms to increase budgets for Women’s Development Committees, adjust the block grant formula for councils, and ensure uninterrupted supply of essential goods through changes at the State Trading Organization (STO).