PNC leads by-election results, wins 8 islands

Ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) is leading the by-election results in eight out of the 12 islands where ballots were held on Saturday.

The by-elections across 12 islands sought to elect vacant council seats of two islands and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) members in the other 10 islands:

• H.Dh. Makunudhoo – election of council member
• N. Landhoo – election to the women-specific seat of the council
• Election of WDC members – H.Dh. Hirimaradhoo, N. Miladhoo, N. Fodhdhoo, R. Innamaadhoo, B. Goidhoo, A.Dh. Hangnaameedhoo, Dh. Hulhudheli, L. Gan, Th. Buruni, and G.A. Kanduhulhudhoo

Two members were elected to the WDC committee of R. Innamaadhoo.

Elections Commission (EC) member Hassan Zakariyya, while speaking with ‘Sun’ Online confirmed PNC had secured seats in eight of these islands, further solidifying the party’s strength in governance.

While Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) managed to win seats of two of these islands, independent members secured the remaining seats.

The ruling party won the vacant council seat in Landhoo while the council seat of Makunudhoo was secured by an independent candidate.

The by-election to for the vacant WDC seat of L. Gan observed the highest voter turnout, with the seat secured by ruling PNC.

Elections Commission (EC) confirms publishing final voting results on Sunday, February 9^th.

Saturday’s by-elections is the first round of ballots EC held following a legislative amendment that mandated by-elections to held only twice per year.