Parliament has passed amendments to dissolve Atoll Councils and revise the composition of island and city councils, with both bills receiving majority support in Thurday’s sitting.

The amendment to the Decentralization Act was passed with 54 votes, while the amendment to the Local Council Election Act received 55 votes in favour.

Under the changes to the Local Council Election Act, all references to Atoll Councils will be removed.

The most extensive reforms are contained in the amendments to the Decentralization Act. Island councils will be restructured based on population size: islands with fewer than 2,000 residents will elect three councillors, including the council president, while islands with larger populations will elect five councillors. The current law mandates five councillors for all island councils regardless of population.

The amendments also clarify the allocation of reserved seats for women. Three-member councils will reserve one seat for women, while five-member councils will reserve two, maintaining the existing ratio.

Changes have also been introduced to the Women’s Development Committees (WDCs). Each island’s WDC will have the same number of members as the island council, and the WDC president will be elected using the same process as the council president. The WDC president’s position will also become a full-time role.

Significant revisions have been made to the composition of city councils as well. Cities with populations between 10,000 and 25,000 will elect seven councillors, including the mayor. Those with populations between 25,000 and 50,000 will elect 11 councillors, and cities with more than 50,000 residents will elect 15 councillors. Malé City and Fuvahmulah City are excluded from these provisions. Reserved seats for women in city councils will be determined by a rule set by the Elections Commission of Maldives, applied uniformly to all represented areas.

The amendments also introduce anti-defection provisions. Councillors elected on a political party ticket will lose their seat if they leave or change their party, while independent councillors will lose their seat if they join a political party.