The Department of National Registration has formally inaugurated identity card issuance services at the Alifu Alifu Atoll Council, marking a significant advance in the government’s campaign to decentralise core public services. The expansion reflects President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s pledge to extend administrative access to island communities and reduce reliance on centralised infrastructure.
This latest launch forms part of a broader initiative to establish identity card services in every inhabited atoll or designated atoll capital by the end of the calendar year. Officials at the department noted that the rollout is expected to improve accessibility for residents while reinforcing the operational efficiency of the national identity system.
With services currently available in 28 islands, the government has articulated its intention to ensure that identity card issuance, essential for accessing a wide array of public and private provisions, is operational across all atolls before year-end.
The scope of the initiative also includes international expansion. Preparatory work is underway to introduce services in countries frequently visited by Maldivian nationals, including Sri Lanka, India and the United Kingdom. Malaysia already hosts such services, offering a precedent for overseas deployment.
The decentralisation effort began in November 2024, when Villingili in Gaafu Alifu Atoll became the first location outside the capital region of Malé to offer identity card and passport services. The shift away from a centralised model, where such services were historically confined to the capital, is a cornerstone of President Muizzu’s policy agenda, aimed at fostering equitable access and administrative inclusivity nationwide.