Island Councils Deliver Direct Results — Atoll Councils Add Nothing, President Muizzu Moves to Abolish Them
President Mohamed Muizzu announced a constitutional amendment to abolish Atoll Councils, calling them an unnecessary layer. The amendment will be tabled in the People’s Majlis after recess, with the goal of implementation before council elections in March. Additional amendments to the Decentralization Act include resizing councils based on population: islands under 2,000 residents will have three-member councils, larger islands five. Women's Development Committee chairpersons will be elected by all residents and made full-time. City Councils remain unchanged.