Gov’t Pledges Equal Cooperation With All Councils After Elections

Minister of Cities, Local Government and Public Works Adam Shareef Umar has stated that the government is committed to working alongside all local councils without discrimination following the latest elections.

The minister extended congratulations to candidates elected in Saturday’s local council and Women’s Development Committee elections, expressing confidence that the new members would strengthen community engagement and promote inclusivity through closer cooperation with the public.

He indicated that the ministry would collaborate with all councils equally and noted that the induction of newly elected members is expected to revitalise the Maldives’ decentralisation system.

Maldivians voted on Saturday in local council elections, Women’s Development Committee elections and a referendum on merging presidential and parliamentary elections.

Preliminary results show that the Maldivian Democratic Party secured mayoral victories in five cities, including Malé, Addu, Fuvahmulah, Thinadhoo and Kulhudhuffushi, with incumbent mayors retaining their seats. The party also won the majority of council and Women’s Development Committee positions.

The referendum result showed that a majority of voters opposed the proposed amendment to merge presidential and parliamentary elections, marking a setback for the government.

Out of 294,876 eligible voters, a total of 185,709 individuals cast their ballots, representing a turnout of approximately 63 per cent.