Voting Underway for Male’ City Mayoral By-election

Eligible voters in the Greater Male’ area are currently casting their ballots for the Male’ city mayoral by-election. 

The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has taken measures to accommodate the challenges posed by heavy rain in the capital Male’ area by extending the polling hours.

advertisement

The Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office) had earlier predicted heavy rain with thunder for Male’ area today, coinciding with the scheduled election day.

ECM stated that the decision to extend polling hours by one hour was made to facilitate the voting process for the public. Consequently, polling will now continue until 5:00 pm today.

ECM cited the nationwide adverse weather conditions affecting travel as a reason for the extension. They expressed concern that the public might face difficulties reaching polling stations, prompting the decision to prolong the polling period.

The Male’ Mayoral by-election, alongside the by-election for three vacant seats in Male’ City Council, is set to take place today.

Candidates vying for the Male’ Mayor position include Azima from the Progressive National Congress (PNC), Adam Azim from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Saif Fathih from The Democrats, former police commissioner Hussain Waheed, who is leading efforts to establish PNC, the new political party spearheaded by former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom, and independent candidate Shuaib Ali (Furahani Shuaib).