President Mohamed Nasheed, in his weekly radio address, discussed government’s views on determining inhabited islands for local council elections.

The President said one view under consideration was to combine two nearby islands as one island for the purposes of decentralised administration, adding that such consolidation would bring a number of socio-economic benefits.

Stressing the importance of consultations before a final list of inhabited islands, the President said discussions with stakeholders were already taking place.

He said, earlier the week, the Cabinet and the National Planning Council discussed the issue, while discussions would be held with the opposition political parties, experts in the area, and the Elections Commission.

Speaking on the upcoming local council elections, which would see decentralised administration in islands under elected councils for the first time, President Nasheed said one of the main objectives of local council elections was to make Katheebs (Island Chiefs) elected people, as had been long advocated.

In his address, the President also outlined other measures required to implement Decentralisation Act, including creating an administrative framework for island offices. 

The President said administrative frameworks would have to reflect the size of a given population and forge good relations with elected councils.

The President added he would discuss the issue of creating administrative frameworks with the Civil Service Commission. 

An administrative framework will determine the type and number of positions for a given office.