The Atholhuge Era: Centralized Authority and Local Administration

Before the establishment of elected councils, the administrative head of Mulakatholhu Atoll was the Atholhuveriya (Atoll Chief), who operated out of the Atholhuge (Atoll House) on the capital island of Muli. In this system, governance was highly centralized, with the Atholhuveriya being a direct appointee of the President in Malé.

The primary role of the Atholhuge was to act as an extension of the central government. Its services were focused on:

• Law Enforcement and Order: The Atholhuveriya was responsible for maintaining peace and order, settling disputes, and ensuring that central government laws and regulations were upheld.
• Government-to-Citizen Communication: The Atholhuge served as the main channel for communicating government policies, directives, and news to the atoll's population.
• Administrative Tasks: This included record-keeping, collecting taxes, managing land and resources, and handling civil matters such as birth and death registrations.
• Coordination of Public Works: Any large-scale infrastructure projects, such as building jetties or schools, were initiated and managed by the central government, with the Atholhuveriya overseeing the implementation at the atoll level.

While this system provided a clear line of authority, it offered limited opportunities for local community input into decision-making. The Atoll Chief, though a resident of the atoll, answered to the central government, not the people.

The Council Era: Decentralization and Community Empowerment

The modern era of local governance for Mulakatholhu Atoll began with the enactment of the Decentralisation Act of 2010. This landmark legislation paved the way for the creation of democratically elected Atoll Councils, including the Mulakatholhu Atoll Council.

When it was first established, the Mulakatholhu Atoll Council's core mandate was to bring government services and decision-making closer to the people. Its initial services were built on this principle of "home rule," fundamentally shifting the relationship between the governing body and the community. Its key services and responsibilities from the outset included:

• Democratic Representation: The council is composed of elected members from the atoll's inhabited islands, who serve as direct representatives of their communities.
• Planning and Development: The council gained the authority to plan and implement local development projects. Instead of waiting for directives from Malé, the council could now prioritize local needs, such as developing harbors, roads, and other essential infrastructure.
• Local Service Delivery: The council became responsible for a range of public services, from waste management and sanitation to the maintenance of public spaces. This allowed for more tailored solutions to the specific challenges faced by the atoll's islands.
• Fiscal Autonomy: The council was granted a degree of financial autonomy, including the power to generate revenue through local fees and charges, which could then be reinvested directly into the atoll's development.

The transition from the Atholhuge to the Atoll Council represents a journey from a top-down, centralized model to a bottom-up, community-driven one. Today, the Mulakatholhu Atoll Council stands as a testament to the power of local governance, giving the residents of Meemu Atoll a direct voice in shaping their own future.