LGA conducts orientation sessions for newly elected councillors and WDC members

The Local Government Authority (LGA), the parent body of local councils, has concluded orientation sessions for newly elected councillors and members of Women’s Development Committees (WDCs).

According to the LGA, the sessions were designed to orient councillors and WDC members to their roles, clarify their legal responsibilities, and provide the information needed to strengthen the functioning of councils and women’s committees.

From Sunday to Thursday, 166 members from 174 councils and WDCs, along with 74 council administrative staff, participated in the online sessions held in collaboration with the Maldives Institute of Local Governance (MILG).

The agency said that unlike previous terms, councillors and WDC members who will be sworn in on Sunday will assume office with full awareness of their duties.

މެއި 10-14 އަށް ކުރިޔަށް ގެންދިޔަ، ކައުންސިލަރުންނާއި އަންހެނުންގެ ތަރައްޤީއަށް މަސައްކަތްކުރާ ކޮމިޓީތަކުގެ މެންބަރުން މަޤާމަށް އަހުލުވެރިކުމުގެ ޕްރޮގްރާމް 2026 ގެ ސުވާލާއި ޖަވާބު ސެޝަން.#councilorsorientation2026 #WDCorientation2026 pic.twitter.com/YIVRcWUwNa

— Maldives Institute of Local Governance (@milg_lga) May 16, 2026

The sessions covered decentralization and its legal framework, council procedures, the role of councillors, development planning, public participation, council administration, financial arrangements, right to information, digital governance, performance management systems and good governance, the LGA said.

In addition to the LGA, the Civil Service Commission and the Information Commissioner’s Office also contributed to the sessions.

The fifth‑term councillors will be sworn in on Sunday morning. The term of office for councils is five years from the fourth term.