Malé, Maldives – The Cabinet has approved administrative measures to conduct a public referendum on changes to the jurisdiction of Addu City, following a petition from some residents seeking adjustments to the composition of the Addu City Council.

According to the President’s Office, the decision was made in line with the Public Referendum Act (Law No. 15/2025). The referendum will determine whether separate councils should be established for Addu Feydhoo, Addu Hulhudhoo, and Addu Meedhoo, or if a **single council—Addu Hulhumeedhoo Council—**should be created to administer both Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo.

The vote will be open to all registered voters in the constituency and is scheduled to take place on either 24 or 25 October.

The Cabinet also decided to dispatch a ministerial-level team led by the Ministry of Cities, Local Government and Public Works, and to form a technical team comprising individuals with expertise on Addu City. These teams will study the potential implications of revising the city’s administrative structure.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu stated that the Government will remain neutral in the upcoming referendum, emphasising that the administration has no preferred outcome. In a post on his official X account, the President reaffirmed that the Government would “fully respect and implement the decision of the people.”

The planned referendum marks a significant step in addressing local concerns over the governance framework of Addu City, the country’s southernmost administrative division.