Voting of Male' City Council by-election begins

The by-election for Male' City Council's vacant seats commenced on Saturday morning.

Three member seats of the council became vacant after the previous members that held them were elected to the parliament during the most recent elections in April.

The by-election is held to elect members for Central-Machchangolhi, West-Henveiru and Hulhumale' seats of the city council.

The voting that commenced at 08:00hrs on Saturday morning concluded at 16:00hrs on the same day afternoon as per Elections Commission (EC).

Ruling People's National Congress (PNC) and the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) are the only parties to contend for the by-election.

A total of 12 ballot boxes were installed across Male' City and eight more in Hulhumale'.

EC statistics confirm a total of 362 people cast their votes by 09:00hrs on Saturday morning, which was 2.67 percent of the total voters, with 12,750 still without having cast their votes at the time.

Candidates running for the vacant seats include;

Central-Machchangolhi:

• Fathimath Ishan Ali (PNC)
• Hawwa Shifana (MDP)

West-Henveiru:

• Fathimath Shaufa Saleem (PNC)
• Mohamed Ali Jinadh (MDP)

Hulhumale':

• Ali Aiman (PNC)
• Ahmed Rasheed (MDP)

After President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu won the presidential election, Male' City Council's mayoral position became vacant.

Former Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) Managing Director Adam Azim won the by-election, securing the mayoral position earlier.

Besides the Male' City Council by-election, by-elections are held in Faafu atoll Bilehdhoo, Kulhudhuffushi City, and Raa atoll Rasmaadhoo.