President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the 19th Amendment to the Decentralization Act (Act No. 7/2010).
The Bill was passed by the 20th People’s Majlis at the 28th sitting of its second session for 2026, held on Wednesday, 26 August 2026.
The Amendment establishes a legal framework to ensure the full cooperation of councils in facilitating the timely implementation of Government development projects, while strengthening procedures relating to the allocation of land required for State projects.
The Amendment sets out the procedures to be followed by the relevant national authority before areas falling within the jurisdiction of councils may be excluded from their jurisdiction.
It also provides for the establishment of integrated service centres by the Government in administrative areas, enabling national authorities to deliver services to residents through these centres.
In addition, following the implementation of the 17th Amendment to the Act, assets and resources previously owned or managed by atoll councils and subsequently transferred to the Local Government Authority will, upon the commencement of the 19th Amendment, be transferred to the Ministry responsible for finance.
The 19th Amendment to the Decentralization Act, ratified by the President and published in the Government Gazette today, has now come into force.