LGA Sets Guidelines for Nationwide Council Oath-Taking Ceremonies on October 17

The Local Government Authority (LGA) has issued comprehensive guidelines for the upcoming oath-taking ceremonies of newly elected councillors and the signing of declarations for Women’s Development Committee members across the Maldives. Scheduled for October 17, the ceremonies will take place simultaneously on all inhabited islands. To ensure broad public engagement, the LGA has mandated that island-wide announcements begin on October 10. Local government offices and their staff are also required to be invited to the proceedings. Logistical arrangements for the administration of the oath are a primary focus of the guidelines. In islands where a magistrate is not resident, the Secretary General must coordinate the visiting magistrate's arrival. If travel is not possible, the LGA has authorized the oath to be administered via online platforms, provided that the magistrate receives written notification and the necessary participation details at least one day in advance. Transparency and digital documentation are central to the process. The LGA requires that photographs of the ceremonies be uploaded promptly to the 'My Council' portal. Additionally, councils must share photos and videos with national television channels, radio stations, and news organizations to ensure public visibility. Following the conclusion of the first council and committee meetings, officials have a strict three-hour window to update the details of all councillors and Women’s Development Committee members on the 'My Council' portal. The tradition of these ceremonies is rooted in the Decentralisation Act. The first nationwide oath-taking for councillors and Women’s Development Committee members occurred on February 26, 2011. Since that landmark event, conducting these ceremonies at the start of every local government term has remained a legal requirement to formalize the transition of power and the assumption of public duty.