Thinadhoo Council President loses seat after joining MDP

The Local Government Authority (LGA) has declared that Shujau Ali, the President of the V. Thinadhoo Island Council, has lost his seat following his decision to join the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

In a press statement issued regarding the matter, the Local Government Authority (LGA) stated that the Elections Commission has notified them that Shujau Ali, who was elected as the President of the Thinadhoo Council in this year's local council elections, was registered as a member of a political party other than the one he was elected under, as of May 19, 2026.

Pursuant to Section 116(l) of the Decentralization Act (7/2010), any council member elected on a specific political party's ticket shall forfeit their seat if they defect to another party and are officially registered as a member of that party with the Elections Commission during their term of office.

During its 8th meeting of the year, held on June 30, 2026, the Local Government Authority (LGA) Board determined that Shujau Ali has vacated his position. The Board further resolved to notify the Elections Commission that the seat is now officially vacant, pursuant to Section 129(a) of the Decentralization Act.

Shujaau Ali has become the first local councillor to lose his seat under the Decentralization Act due to a floor-crossing violation. This marks the first time the legal provision has been enforced in this manner.

While Shujau has joined the MDP, several other councilors have recently defected to the ruling PNC. However, as the official dates of their registration remain unclear, neither the Local Government Authority (LGA) nor the Elections Commission has disclosed whether such matters have been brought to their attention.