The People’s Majlis has passed a constitutional amendment, proposed by the government, that abolishes atoll councils and stipulates that atoll councilors will no longer be elected in future council elections.

During Tuesday’s sitting of the People’s Majlis, the amendment bill was approved by a majority of 75 lawmakers, while 12 lawmakers voted against the measure.

The bill was submitted on November 16 by Ibrahim Shujau, Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader of the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) and MP for Baarah constituency, and reviewed by the Committee of the Whole Majlis.

Under Article 231 (a)(3) of the Constitution, an atoll council is required for each administrative division, excluding city councils, to govern under a decentralized system. The amendment proposed by Shujau seeks to remove this provision entirely.

The amendment specifies that currently elected atoll councils will remain in office until their terms expire, but starting from the next council elections, no new atoll councilors will be elected. Once the current councils complete their terms, atoll councils will cease to exist.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu previously announced in August that atoll councils would be abolished and the number of island council members reduced.

The president stated that atoll councils have not proven beneficial or meaningful for the public and expressed a preference for a system in which councils can interact directly with the government.