Meedhoo Council President Runoff Voting Begins Smoothly
Voting is currently underway for the second round of the Dh. Meedhoo Council President election, with a total of 1,049 eligible voters. This runoff was mandated by a High Court order after the PNC and MDA candidates finished in a deadlock during the initial round. The election features a head-to-head contest between PNC candidate Suha Ibrahim and MDA candidate Mohamed Shahid.
Voting is currently underway in the second round of the election to choose the President of the Meedhoo Council. | Elections Commission
The Elections Commission (EC) has stated that the second round of voting to elect the President of the Dhaalu Meedhoo Island Council is proceeding smoothly and peacefully.
An official from the Elections Commission (EC) confirmed to RaajjeMV that voting for Saturday's election commenced on schedule and will continue until 4:00 p.m. The official further assured that polling began on time at every ballot box stationed for this election.
A total of 1,049 individuals are eligible to vote in this election, with three ballot boxes established to facilitate the process.
Two ballot boxes have been stationed at the Dhaalu Atoll School. Additionally, a polling station has been established at Dharumavantha School in Malé.
The Elections Commission (EC) stated that 587 eligible voters are set to cast their ballots in Dhaalu Meedhoo for this election. Additionally, the Commission confirmed that 462 individuals have registered to vote in Male'.
The Meedhoo Council presidential election has headed to a second round following a legal challenge in the High Court. The dispute arose after a recount of the Meedhoo No. 2 ballot box resulted in a vote for the People's National Congress (PNC) candidate being declared invalid. While this recount initially appeared to secure the seat for the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) candidate, the PNC candidate subsequently filed a petition with the High Court to contest the outcome.
The High Court judges presiding over the case have ruled in favor of the PNC candidate, declaring the 17th ballot in the invalid pile as a valid vote. This ruling brings the PNC candidate to a tie with the MDA candidate. Consequently, the court has ordered the official election results to be amended and re-announced.
Following this High Court order, a fresh election must be held as the two candidates remain in a tie. Only two candidates will compete in the subsequent round of the election. They are Suha Ibrahim of the People's National Congress (PNC), from Dilshaduge, Dh. Meedhoo, and Mohamed Shahid of the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), from Mushtarivilla, Dh. Meedhoo.
