The Cabinet has decided to hold a public referendum following a petition submitted by residents of Addu City on proposed changes to the composition of the Addu City Council. The referendum will be conducted under the Public Referendum Act.

The decision includes a vote on the establishment of separate councils for Addu Feydhoo, Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo. Voters will also be asked to decide on the creation of a joint council, Addu Hulhumeedhoo Council, to administer Addu Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo under a single island council.

Voting is scheduled for 24 and 25 October, with all eligible voters listed in the islands’ registry invited to take part.

In addition, the Cabinet agreed to form a ministry-level team well-versed with Addu’s context, led by the Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works, to assess possible changes to the jurisdiction of Addu City and to begin work on determining the administrative boundaries of its islands.