Parliament has forced President Mohamed Nasheed to ratify the Bill on Capital Islands of Administrative Divisions of the Maldives, which he initially vetoed.
However parliament returned the bill to the President with a vote 39 in favour of ratification, Haveeru reported.
The Act requires that capital islands retain their status as capitals unless a two-thirds majority of the atoll council approves a public referendum.
The issue has led to clashes between island councils and government authorities over the relocation of island capitals to suit the newly-elected island councillors.
