The Local Government Authority has announced that oath-taking ceremonies for newly elected councillors and the signing of declarations by Women’s Development Committee (WDC) members will be held simultaneously across all inhabited islands on May 17.

The ceremony will mark the commencement of the fifth term of local councils, with newly elected members formally assuming office on the same day. LGA said the first official meetings of the councils will be convened following the oath-taking, formally initiating the work of the new term.

The authority stated that the election of vice presidents of Women’s Development Committees will take place after members sign their declarations, while the position of WDC president will continue as a full-time role overseeing committee functions.

LGA noted that the initiative is expected to strengthen council operations and expand women’s development efforts at the island level, while also reinforcing the decentralisation framework by bringing services closer to communities.

The term of both councils and Women’s Development Committees will be five years. LGA further highlighted that such oath-taking ceremonies are a legal requirement at the beginning of each term, with the first held on February 26, 2011 under the Decentralisation Act.