President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has decided to designate Kulhudhuffushi as a city effective from January 1, 2020. The president made the declaration under the powers vested onto him under article 37 of the Decentralisation Act of Maldives.
The decision was made after Kulhudhuffushi met all the criteria requirements mentioned in Chapter two of the Decentralisation Act. The declaration to designate Kulhudhuffushi as a city has now been published in the government gazette.
Some of the criteria requirements met by Kulhudhuffushi in qualifying as a city include exceeding a populace of 10,000 people, having established a higher education facility offering education up to first degree level, having established banking services and a commercial harbour in operation, as per the Decentralisation Act.
The notable efforts by the administration towards the improvement health services provided in the island will see Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital upgraded to a tertiary level hospital. The most prominent change brought along with the designation of Kulhudhuffushi as a city will be to pave way for the city council to undertake Public Sector Investment Programmes (PSIP) projects under USD 971,240.
Commenting on the new development, President of Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) Ahmed Shareef told PSM News efforts are underway to make the necessary arrangements to elect a city council for Kulhudhuffushi in the upcoming Local Council Elections 2020. He said 6 constituencies will be established in Kulhudhuffushi, with 2 seats allocated for women.
In addition, Kulhudhuffushi will also elect a mayor in the Local Council Elections 2020 scheduled to take place on April 4.
With the designation of Kulhudhuffushi as a city, the number Maldivian cities increases to four.