Meedhoo Council Presidential Election Scheduled for June 13
The Elections Commission has scheduled a fresh election for the President of the Dhaal Meedhoo Island Council for June 13, following a High Court ruling on a disputed ballot that resulted in a tie between the PNC and MDA candidates. In addition to the Meedhoo re-run, the High Court has ordered a recount for a ballot box in Thimarafushi and issued a judgment that alters the previously announced results for a seat on the Veyvah Council.
The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM). | social media
The by-election for the presidency of the D. Meedhoo Council has been scheduled for June 13, following a tie between the candidates from the People's National Congress (PNC) and the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA).
The candidate from the People’s National Congress (PNC) has filed a case with the High Court following a recount of the No. 2 ballot box for the D. Meedhoo Council Presidency. The recount, prompted by disputes over the initial vote tallies for the PNC and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) candidates, resulted in one of the PNC candidate's votes being declared invalid, thereby securing the seat for the MDA candidate.
The High Court judges presiding over the case have ruled that the 17th ballot in the disputed bundle is valid, as requested by the PNC candidate. This decision brings the PNC candidate to a tie with the MDA candidate. Consequently, the court has ordered the relevant authorities to amend and re-announce the official election results.
Following the High Court's ruling, a fresh election must be held as the two candidates are now tied. The runoff election will feature two candidates: Suha Ibrahim, representing the People's National Congress (PNC) from Dilshaduge, Dh. Meedhoo, and Mohamed Shahid, representing the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) from Mushtarivilla, Dh. Meedhoo.
The Elections Commission has announced that the run-off election for the President of the Dhaalu Meedhoo Island Council will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Voting is scheduled to take place from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, with the official results expected to be declared on June 14.
Regarding other cases filed in the High Court concerning the council elections, a ruling has been issued in favor of Mohamed Imad, the PNC candidate who contested the Thimarafushi Council seat. Imad had filed an electoral complaint seeking a recount of the ballot box located at Aminiya School following disputes over the initial results. The High Court has subsequently ordered the Elections Commission to conduct a recount of those specific ballots and to re-determine the official results for that polling station.
Furthermore, the High Court of the Maldives has ruled in favor of the PNC candidate regarding a legal challenge concerning the results of the ballot box stationed in Veyvah during the recent local council elections. The court's decision to invalidate three votes previously cast for the MDP candidate has resulted in the PNC candidate securing the lead and winning the seat.
