President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has issued Presidential Decree No. 36/2025, amending Presidential Decree No. 2/2025 specifying the inhabited islands of the Maldives, to provide for the resettlement of residents of Hirimaradhoo to Hanimaadhoo, South Thiladhunmathi Atoll.
The amendment facilitates the determination of the electoral constituency of Hirimaradhoo residents for the Local Council Elections and Women’s Development Committee Elections 2026, scheduled for 4 April 2026. As the resettlement is ongoing during the election period, Section 8(h) of the Elections General Act (Act No. 11/2008) applies, which provides that where the inhabitants of an island are in the process of being resettled to another island, such persons shall be deemed to be electors of the island to which they are being resettled. Accordingly, the decree designates Hanimaadhoo as the electoral constituency for residents of Hirimaradhoo, enabling the Elections Commission of the Maldives to prepare the Voters’ Registry accordingly.
The amendment has been made under the authority conferred on the President pursuant to Section 134(a) of the Decentralisation Act (Act No. 7/2010).
Upon completion of the resettlement and registration of Hirimaradhoo residents in Hanimaadhoo, Hirimaradhoo will be declared an uninhabited island. The revised and updated list of inhabited islands has been published in the Government Gazette.
The amendment will take effect from the date on which the Government officially announces the completion of the resettlement and registration of Hirimaradhoo residents in Hanimaadhoo.