The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has released provisional results of Saturday’s Addu City referendum, revealing a divided outcome across the southern atoll. While residents of Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo voted in favour of forming their own island councils, Feydhoo residents opted to remain under the existing Addu City Council structure.
The referendum, initiated by presidential decree, asked voters in three Addu constituencies—Feydhoo, Hulhudhoo, and Meedhoo—whether they preferred to continue under a unified city administration or establish independent councils for each island.
According to ECM’s preliminary figures, Hulhudhoo recorded a clear majority in favour of separation, with 723 votes supporting the proposal and 329 opposing it. Out of 2,874 eligible voters, 1,069 cast their ballots, marking a turnout of 37.2 percent.
In Meedhoo, the results showed even stronger support for autonomy. A total of 847 voters backed the creation of an independent council, while 144 voted against. With 1,008 ballots cast from 2,347 registered voters, the island saw a turnout of 42.95 percent.
Feydhoo, however, took an opposing stance, voting decisively to remain within the Addu City Council framework. Of the 4,355 eligible voters, 2,436 participated—representing the highest turnout among the three islands at 55.94 percent. The majority, 1,784 voters, rejected the proposal for separation, while 616 voted in favour.
Overall, 4,513 of 9,576 registered voters across the three islands took part in the referendum.
The Elections Commission stated that final, certified results will be announced on Sunday. The outcome marks a potentially transformative moment for Addu City’s governance, as it could pave the way for a new administrative map within the southernmost atoll.
