Shahid: Council election the last opportunity to send a message to govt via a vote

Main opposition MDP’s leader Abdulla Shahid has described April’s local council elections as the last opportunity to send a message to the incumbent administration via a vote, urging the public to say no to the administration’s policies.

Shahid made the remark during an interview to the press after casting his vote in MDP’s primary held on Friday. The main opposition party’s leader appealed to everyone to back the candidates who go onto win the primary, and for MDP to stand united before a government that is cruel and corrupt.

Speaking further, Shahid expressed confidence that the party will secure a landslide victory in the local council elections, delivering a strong rejection of the government.

“This is the last chance to send a message to the government via a vote. In this opportunity, we have to no to the government’s unruly policies. By the will of Almighty, we will defeat them [the government] by a great margin in the council election,” he said.

Former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih who also gave an interview to the press after casting his vote in the primary said his visits to some islands showcased that the councils have undertaken significant work with the power and finances they received during his administration. As such, he stressed that the way forward is to further empower councils and ensure their financial independence.

Solih noted that the people who would best understand the state of an island are the people who reside there, warning that development would stall if they are not given adequate powers.

“There are difficulties we face when it comes to winning the local council election. Even from the government’s side. Nevertheless, I am very confident that this will be when MDP, as an opposition party, secures the greatest number of seats,” he said.

The voting in the primary contested by 154 candidates kicked off at 14:30pm this afternoon and closed at 20:00pm tonight. Subsequently, vote counting is presently underway.

The largest number of ballot boxes in capital Male’ was placed in Maajedhiyya School, amounting to 18.

Other locations in Male’ where ballot boxes were placed include Iskandar School, Hiriya School, Galolhu School. Meanwhile, the sole ballot box in Vilimale’ was placed in Muheedheen School. The ballot box for central and south Hulhumale’ constituencies was placed in Ghaazee School while the ballot box for north Hulhumale’ school was placed at Kaamil Didi School.

The most anticipated race in Friday’s primary is the Male' mayoral ticket, where incumbent Mayor Adam Azim is competing against Ali Azim, former Central Henveiru MP.