Residents of Hirimaradhoo will vote as part of the Hanimaadhoo constituency in the upcoming Local Council Elections and Women’s Development Committee Elections scheduled for 4 April 2026.

This follows Presidential Decree No. 36/2025 issued by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, which amends an earlier decree on inhabited islands of the Maldives. The amendment formally recognises the ongoing resettlement of Hirimaradhoo residents to Hanimaadhoo in South Thiladhunmathi Atoll.

As the resettlement will still be underway during the election period, the decision is based on Section 8(h) of the Elections General Act. This law states that when residents of an island are being resettled, they are considered voters of the island to which they are moving. Accordingly, Hanimaadhoo has been designated as the electoral constituency for Hirimaradhoo residents.

This change allows the Elections Commission of the Maldives to include Hirimaradhoo residents in the Hanimaadhoo voters’ registry and ensure they can participate fully in the 2026 local elections.

Once the resettlement and registration process is officially completed, Hirimaradhoo will be declared an uninhabited island. The updated list of inhabited islands has already been published in the Government Gazette.

The amendment will come into effect on the date the government officially announces that the resettlement and registration of Hirimaradhoo residents in Hanimaadhoo has been completed.