President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has ratified the sixth amendment to the “Decentralisation Act” (Act No. 7/2010). The amendment was passed by the Parliament at the 22nd sitting of its third session, on 26th November 2015.

Following ratification, the Act has been ‎published in the Government Gazette.‎

The amendment states that three members will be elected to the Island Council in islands with a population less than 3,000, which was previously comprised of five members. Also according to the new amendment, five members will be elected to the Island Councils in islands with a population more than 3,000, which was previously seven members for populations between 3,000 and 10,000, and 9 members for populations more than 10,000.