Less than half of eligible voters participate in Addu city referendum

Only 47 percent of eligible voters participated in Saturday’s referendum held to consult residents of Hulhudhoo, Meedhoo, and Feydhoo on whether to remain under the jurisdiction of Addu City Council.

Polling was held from 08:00 to 16:00, with most stations closing early. Vote counting began at 16:30, and official results were announced later on Saturday evening.

A total of 9,576 people were eligible to vote:

• Feydhoo: 4,355  
• Hulhudhoo: 2,874  
• Meedhoo: 2,347

However, only 4,493 voters cast ballots, just 47 percent of the total electorate.

According to provisional results released by the Elections Commission:

• Feydhoo: 2,421 votes cast out of 4,368 eligible  
• Meedhoo: 1,002 votes cast out of 2,341 eligible  
• Hulhudhoo: 1,070 votes cast out of 2,867 eligible

Polling stations were distributed as follows:

• Three each in Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo  
• Five in Feydhoo  
• Seven ballot boxes at Kalaafaanu School in Malé City for eligible voters from these islands residing in the capital

In the referendum, Hulhudhoo and Meedhoo voted to separate from Addu City Council, while a majority in Feydhoo voted to remain under the current administrative structure.