Independent candidate wins battle for Hulhudheli seat against PNC candidate

Independent candidate Fathimath Risala won the battle for the seat in Hulhudheli island of Dhaalu atoll against the candidate from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) in Saturday’s by-election held to elect members for the Women's Development Committees (WDCs).

Two candidates contested for the Hulhudheli seat. They were Farushana Ismail, the candidate of the ruling party and Fathimath Risala, who ran independently.

Two ballot boxes were placed in two locations for voting to elect a member for the Hulhudheli WDC. They were one in the island and one in the capital Malé City. A total of 489 people cast their ballots to the two boxes stationed for the constituency. Of these, 18 votes were invalid, while the number of valid votes was 471.

Risala, who ran independently, triumphed over the ruling party candidate Farushana and was elected to the Hulhudheli Women's Development Committee with 261 votes. Farushana received 212 votes. That is 49 votes less than the elected candidate.

Hulhudheli was an island where PNC received a large majority in the presidential election of 2023. However, in this brief period, the results clearly indicate a significant decline in the support for PNC on the island.

According to the provisional results of the election, out of the 12 seats in the by-election held on Saturday to elect members for local councils and Women's Development Committees, the ruling PNC won eight seats. The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) won two seats and independent candidates have won two seats.

PNC won the council member seat for Landhoo island of Noonu atoll and the WDC member seats for Gan island of Laamu atoll, Kanduhulhudhoo island of Gaaf Alif atoll, Hirimaradhoo island of Haa Dhaal atoll, Buruni island of Thaa atoll, Goidhoo island of Baa atoll, Innamaadhoo island of Raa atoll and Fehendhoo island of Noonu atoll.

MDP won the WDC seats in Hangnaameedhoo island of Alif Dhaal atoll and Miladhoo island of Noonu atoll. The main opposition also won the council seat in Makunudhoo island of Haa Dhaal atoll.

This time, a total of 33 seats were opened for the by-election. However, due to only one candidate contesting for 21 of these seats, those candidates won the seats without an election. Elections were held across 12 islands. These were for two island councils and 10 Women's Development Committees.

While the ruling party won several seats in the election, rumors have surfaced alleging that the government used job offers, promotions, money and other resources to sway the polls.