The Local Government Authority (LGA), the overseeing body of local councils, has completed orientation sessions for newly elected councillors and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) members. 

According to the LGA, these sessions aimed to familiarize councillors and WDC members with their roles, clarify their legal obligations, and provide essential information to enhance the effectiveness of councils and women’s committees.

From Sunday to Thursday, a total of 166 members representing 174 councils and WDCs, along with 74 administrative staff, participated in the online training organized in partnership with the Maldives Institute of Local Governance (MILG).

The agency stated that, unlike previous terms, councillors and WDC members who will be sworn in this Sunday will begin their duties fully aware of their responsibilities.

The training covered topics such as decentralization and its legal framework, council procedures, the roles of councillors, development planning, public participation, council management, financial arrangements, the right to information, digital governance, performance management systems, and good governance practices.

In addition to the LGA, contributions were made by the Civil Service Commission and the Information Commissioner’s Office.

The fifth-term councillors are scheduled to be sworn in on Sunday morning. The council's term of office is five years, starting from the conclusion of the previous term.