More than half the eligible voters in Addu city did not take part in the referendum on Saturday to divide the city council.

Voting was held from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm in the referendum to divide the southern city's council.

Seven polling stations were set up in Male', three in Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo and five in Feydhoo.

According to the Elections Commission (EC), 9,549 people were eligible to vote. But only 4,513 people, or 47 percent voted.

In Feydhoo, 55 percent of the voters cast their ballots, while 42 percent cast their ballots in Meedhoo. The voter turnout was just 37 percent in Hulhudhoo.

The referendum was held to see whether separate island councils should be established for the three islands.

Feydhoo decided to remain part of the city council, while Meedhoo and Hulhudhoo decided to form island councils.

This is the first time a city council has been altered since the Decentralisation Act came into force 15 years ago.

Despite the separation, Addu will remain a city because the population in Hithadhoo alone is nearly 17,000 people.