Referendum on forming separate councils to be held in Addu

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced today plans to hold a referendum in Addu City to gauge public opinion on forming separate councils. 

Speaking on the President's podcast, President Muizzu stated that he has become aware that the people of Addu wish to change how the Addu City Council is currently established. 

He said that during his visit to Addu during the presidential campaigns, this issue was brought to him. He said that he had pledged then that a permanent solution in line with their wishes would be brought. 

President Muizzu said that the views of Addu residents need to be sought ahead of the Elections Commission conducting administrative work for the Local Council Elections scheduled for next year. He asserted that the decision lies in the hands of the people of Addu, assuring no action will be taken without first gathering their views. 

The referendum would ask of Addu residents whether they wished to keep the Addu City Council as it is now, or to rather form separate councils for the islands, the President said. 

"Whether they want an Addu Feydhoo council or to keep it as it is. We are putting Addu in front of the name, I don't want Addu's name to be omitted in any changes that are brought. So, Addu Maradhoo, Addu Maradhoo-Feydhoo, a council for each of these places," the President explained. 

"Whether they want separate councils to be formed for separate islands or not, that is what is being asked. Whether they want Hithadhoo to have Hithadhoo Council as Hithadhoo City Council."

The President said that the referendum must be held in October, with the results needed within the same month. 

According to President Muizzu, the forming of separate councils would facilitate things to proceed as per the wishes of the people of Addu. 

"For example, a very real concern I get is that Hulhumeedhoo especially is very much neglected. Because Hulhumeedhoo is located separately from the connected islands, due attention is not given to the island, there are many concerns like this. I have had similar concerns from the people of Feydhoo as well," the President said. 

The President said that based on this, he has decided to hold a referendum in Addu to determine their choice on how to form councils in the city.