Nasheed says referendum shouldn't create division in Addu
The referendum was held in Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo, and Feydhoo to decide whether the islands would remain under the existing city council or form separate councils.
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Former President Mohamed Nasheed has urged the people of Addu to remain united following Saturday’s referendum in which Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo voted to separate from the Addu City Council and establish individual island councils.
In his statement on Saturday evening, Nasheed said the outcome should not lead to anger or division among the residents of Addu.
The referendum was held in Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo, and Feydhoo to decide whether the islands would remain under the existing city council or form separate councils. According to the results:
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Around 85% of Meedhoo voters supported separation.
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Around 69% of Hulhudhoo voters supported separation.
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Around 75% of Feydhoo voters chose to remain under the Addu City Council.
Nasheed, who led the Maldives from 2008 to 2012, noted that while Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo opted for separation, the overall results showed that more people across the participating islands supported keeping Addu under a unified city administration.
According to Nasheed, 2,251 voters supported maintaining the city structure, while 2,176 voters supported forming separate island councils.
“I hope everyone will urge not to let this vote increase anger,” Nasheed wrote on X, calling for restraint and cooperation among Addu residents.
He reiterated his long-standing position against dividing Addu City, saying that efforts should instead focus on population growth and economic development. Nasheed suggested increasing Addu’s population to more than 50,000 by granting citizenship to foreign professionals who work in the region.
The Addu City Council was established on 9 October 2010 during Nasheed’s administration under the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). At that time, city status was granted to islands or clusters with populations exceeding 25,000. A public consultation held before the decision showed majority support for the city council structure from Hithadhoo, Maradhoo, Maradhoo-Feydhoo, and Hulhudhoo, while Feydhoo and Meedhoo voted against it.
The legal framework for city designation was later amended under former President Abdulla Yameen’s administration to grant city status to Fuvahmulah, but the structure of the Addu City Council has remained unchanged.
