President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has confirmed that public opinion will be sought before introducing any amendments to laws, describing the upcoming referendum on Addu City’s administrative zones as a historic milestone.

Speaking on the ninth edition of the Rayyithunnaa Eku (With the citiens) podcast, the President discussed the upcoming local council elections and the administrative measures the Elections Commission must implement to facilitate the vote.

Reflecting on concerns raised by Addu City residents during his presidential campaign, President Muizzu reiterated his pledge to provide sustainable solutions to governance issues in the atoll.

He emphasised that under the decentralised system of governance, citizens will ultimately decide how the city is administered.

Once the relevant bill is passed and ratified, the Elections Commission will conduct a referendum in October to determine whether each island in Addu should carry the suffix “Addu” and elect its own council, or whether the existing Addu City Council will continue to administer all islands collectively.

Hailing the referendum as historic and significant, the President said it demonstrates his administration’s commitment to a citizen-centric approach to governance.

President Muizzu also addressed efforts to strengthen the independence of the judiciary, noting that the current system hinders its autonomous operations.

Amendments to next year’s budget will allocate a percentage of funds as block grants to ensure the judiciary’s independent functioning.

The President further highlighted plans to revise the remuneration of former Presidents and Members of Parliament, citing misalignment with the nation’s economic realities.

Additional reforms include increased budgets for Women’s Development Committees, adjustments to block grants for councils, and operational changes to the State Trading Organisation (STO) to secure the continuous supply of essential goods.