Newly elected members of the Malé City Council will be sworn in at the Social Centre on May 17, in line with nationwide oath-taking ceremonies scheduled to be held simultaneously across the Maldives.

Confirming to MMTV, the Malé City Council said the venue was selected to accommodate wider public participation, allowing more residents to attend the ceremony. Senior Government officials, foreign diplomats and political party leaders have also been invited.

The swearing-in will be conducted in accordance with guidelines issued by the Local Government Authority for newly elected mayors, councillors and members of Women’s Development Committees. The procedures outline the administration of oaths, signing of declarations and arrangements for conducting the ceremonies across all islands.

Under the guidelines, if a judge is not available on an island, the council secretariat must arrange for an authorised official to administer the oath. In cases where ceremonies are held online, the presiding authority must be notified in writing at least one day in advance.

Councils are also required to submit details of councillors and Women’s Development Committee members through the designated portal within three hours of their first meeting, following the oath-taking. The process forms part of the decentralisation framework, with similar ceremonies conducted at the start of previous council terms