Faris Maumoon wins Dhiggaru by-election

Faris Maumoon led the preliminary results in all six ballot boxes, and has won the Dhiggaru by-election. Faris received 59 percent, while his closest opponent Raazee received 36 percent.

Preliminary result: Muli 1. Shameem Ali - 5 votes 2. Moosa Naseer Ahmed - 16 votes 3. Ahmed Raazee (MDP) - 99 votes 4. Ahmed Faris Maumoon (PPM) - 322 votes

Preliminary result: Malé 1. Shameem Ali - 115 votes 2. Moosa Naseer Ahmed - 7 votes 3. Ahmed Raazee (MDP) - 198 votes 4. Ahmed Faris Maumoon (PPM) - 292 votes

Four boxes have been counted and Faris Maumoon is leading with 619 votes, which is 55 percent. His closest opponent is MDP candidate Raazee.

Preliminary result: Dhiggaru 1. Shameem Ali - 3 votes 2. Moosa Naseer Ahmed - 4 votes 3. Ahmed Raazee (MDP) - 270 votes 4. Ahmed Faris Maumoon (PPM) - 354 votes

Preliminary result: Veyvah 1. Shameem Ali - 0 votes 2. Moosa Naseer Ahmed - 0 votes 3. Ahmed Raazee (MDP) - 58 votes 4. Ahmed Faris Maumoon (PPM) - 90 votes

Preliminary result: Maduvvari 1. Shameem Ali - 27 votes 2. Moosa Naseer Ahmed - 5 votes 3. Ahmed Raazee (MDP) - 106 votes 4. Ahmed Faris Maumoon (PPM) - 115 votes

Preliminary result: Raimandhoo 1. Shameem Ali - 1 vote 2. Moosa Naseer Ahmed - 3 votes 3. Ahmed Raazee (MDP) - 24 votes 4. Ahmed Faris Maumoon (PPM) - 60 votes

Vote counting is also under way for the ballot box in Malé, at Iskandar School.

Counting of votes has begun in islands where ballot boxes were closed at 4:00 p.m. Counting will begin in Malé at 4:40 p.m., because the ballot box there was closed at 4:10 p.m. Counting can begin thirty minutes after the ballot box is closed.