Government has lost the Meedhoo Council presidency after a recount, triggered by the invalidation of a fraudulent vote cast for the PNC candidate, resulted in a tie
MDA candidate Mohamed Shahid has secured the Dhaalu Meedhu Council presidency by a single-vote margin following a recount, which resulted in the invalidation of a vote previously cast for the PNC candidate. This local council election saw the opposition MDP secure a majority across the country, including mayoral seats in key cities. Furthermore, the government faced an additional setback as the public voted against the proposal to consolidate elections.
A scene from the vote counting process during the local council elections held on April 4. | EC | Elections Commission
The Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) candidate has secured the presidency of the Dh. Meedhoo Council following a recount of the second ballot box. The recount was initiated after the initial results showed a tie between the MDA candidate and the People’s National Congress (PNC) candidate. During the process, one vote previously counted for the PNC candidate was declared invalid, confirming the MDA's victory.
PNC candidate Suha Ibrahim and MDA candidate Mohamed Shahid, who contested for the presidency of the Meedhoo Council, were initially tied with 392 votes each. However, during a recount of the Meedhoo No. 2 ballot box on Friday, one of Suha’s votes was declared invalid, reducing her total to 391. As a result, Shahid secured the Council President's seat by a narrow margin of a single vote.
The recount of the Meedhoo No. 2 ballot box was triggered after a tie in results followed the invalidation of a fraudulent vote previously cast for the PNC candidate. The vote, which had initially been counted in favor of the PNC, was declared invalid during today’s recount. Officials determined the ballot was void because the voter had marked the checkbox twice.
The People's National Congress (PNC) has secured two seats on the D. Meedhoo Council and one seat on the Women's Development Committee (WDC). The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) succeeded in winning one seat on the WDC.
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) secured the majority of seats in last Saturday's local council elections. MDP candidates also won the presidency in most councils across the country. Furthermore, the party swept the mayoral races in all five cities and maintained control over the majority of city council seats.
The government has faced another defeat in the referendum held to determine public opinion on consolidating parliamentary and presidential elections. Approximately 68 percent of voters rejected the proposal to hold the two elections simultaneously. Despite the government’s extensive campaigning in favor of the merger, the total number of votes in support was lower than the official membership count of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC). Many observers are noting that the outcome of this vote serves as a clear indication of public dissatisfaction with the government's policies.
