Low voter turnout, no reason for dejection: Fayyaz

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail on Sunday has advised his party not to feel dejected over Saturday’s by-election results while citing the low voter turnout.

The by-elections were held in Male’ City to elect members to three of its vacant seats, Faafu atoll Bilehdhoo to elect the council’s president, Kulhudhuffushi City to elect the north-Kulhudhuffushi member and in Raa atoll Rasmaadhoo to elect a female member to the island’s council.

Ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) secured all three seats of Male’ City Council, Bilehdhoo president’s position, and Kulhudhuffushi council’s vacant post. Rasmaadhoo council’s seat was secured by an independent candidate.

Although MDP fielded its candidates in the by-elections, the party did not secure a single vacant seat across any of these council bodies marking its third-time defeat in recent elections. MDP had earlier faced losses in both the presidential and parliamentary elections; losing to ruling PNC.

In response, Fayyaz said that the outcome from a low voter turnout should not become the cause to lose hope while subsequently calling his party to strengthen its policies and activities, which he added will ensure MDP’s success in the coming days.

The MDP Chairperson had thanked all of its members that ran for council positions in Saturday’s by-elections.

Following PNC’s significant win over the opposition party, many have already begun criticizing MDP.

Meanwhile, PNC Chairperson and Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla said Saturday’s results was proof of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s growing popularity among the citizens.

Results Council By-elections;

• -          Central-Machchangolhi councilor: Fathimath Ishan (PNC) – 22.33 percent voter turnout

• -          Hulhumale’ councilor: Ali Aiman (PNC) – 13.80 percent voter turnout

• -          West-Henveiru councilor: Fathimath Shaufa Saleem (PNC) – 12.87 percent voter turnout

• -          Bilehdhoo council president: Areeh Ismail (PNC) – 83.18 percent voter turnout

• -          North-Kulhudhuffushi councilor: Ibrahim Ahmed (PNC) – 61.25 percent voter turnout

• -          Rasmaadhoo council’s female member: Aishath Sharafiyya (independent) – 73.62 percent voter turnout

After former Male’ City Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu secured his presidential win, the capital city’s mayoral position became vacant. The mayoral position was not long after secured by former Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) Managing Director Adam Azim.