First ever elected Councilors take their oath of office

The first ever councilors to be elected in the Maldives under the Decentralization Act in February 5 local council elections have given their oath of office yesterday morning from 9:00 am, across the country.

The newly elected island councilors, atoll councilors and city councilors from about 170 councils took their oath of office nationwide yesterday. Councilors from 14 councils were adjourned from taking the oath of office by the High Court due to an on going case. Additionally oath taking  of councilors of Kelaa council and 5 other councils were postponed by the Elections Commission because of issues of discrepancies in vote counts and a second round of the elections are needed to be held respectively.

Island Councilors oath taking ceremony was held in their respective islands and Atoll Councilors will took their oath of office in the capital islands of their respective atolls. Addu City Councilors will took their oath of office in S. Hithadhoo and Male’ City Councilors will take their oath in Male’.

After the newly elected councilors, from the local council elections held in the country in order to consolidate local governance as envisaged by the Constitution and the Decentralization Act, took their oath of office, Mayors and Deputy Mayors of Cities, Presidents and Vice Presidents of Atoll councils and Island councils were elected.

Male’ City Council elected Adam Manik (Sarangu) as the Mayor of Male’ City while Samah Rasheed was elected as the Deputy Mayor. Abdullah Sodiq (Sobe’) was elected as the Mayor of Addu City by Addu City Council while Hassan Shahid was elected as the Deputy Mayor of Addu City,

Furthermore, Kaafu Atoll Council changed their capital from Maafushi to Thulusdhoo while Shaviyani Atoll Council changed their capital from Milandhoo to Funadhoo. Fierce disputes broke out in these two atolls with this change in resolutions.