Hanimaadhoo Designated as Electoral Constituency for Hirimaradhoo Residents Amid Resettlement

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has amended the list of inhabited islands of the Maldives to designate Hanimaadhoo as the electoral constituency for residents of Hirimaradhoo, as the government proceeds with the resettlement of the island’s population ahead of the 2026 local council and Women’s Development Committee elections.

The amendment was made through Presidential Decree No. 36/2025, which revises Presidential Decree No. 2/2025 that specifies the inhabited islands of the Maldives. The change provides a legal framework to determine the voting constituency of Hirimaradhoo residents while the resettlement to Hanimaadhoo in South Thiladhunmathi Atoll remains ongoing.

The designation is intended to facilitate preparations for the Local Council Elections and Women’s Development Committee Elections 2026, scheduled for 4 April 2026. As the resettlement will continue during the election period, the decree applies Section 8(h) of the Elections General Act (Act No. 11/2008), which states that when the inhabitants of an island are in the process of being resettled to another island, they shall be deemed electors of the island to which they are being resettled.

In accordance with this provision, the decree designates Hanimaadhoo as the electoral constituency for residents of Hirimaradhoo, enabling the Elections Commission of the Maldives to update and prepare the Voters’ Registry to ensure eligible residents are able to exercise their voting rights.

The amendment has been enacted under the authority granted to the President pursuant to Section 134(a) of the Decentralisation Act (Act No. 7/2010).

Following the completion of the resettlement process and the 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 on the date the Government officially announces the completion of the resettlement and registration of Hirimaradhoo residents in Hanimaadhoo.