Meekail Mohamed Riyaz Elected Deputy Mayor of Malé City

Meekail Mohamed Riyaz was elected as the Deputy Mayor of the Malé City Council today during the council’s first official meeting of the new term.

Meekail was elected unopposed after his name was the only one proposed for the position during the meeting. Under council regulations, an additional vote is not required if no other councillor seeks the role, and a separate approval vote is also unnecessary.

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Speaking during the meeting, Meekail thanked constituents for electing him to the council and said the council should work transparently and maintain public trust.

Referring to remarks delivered earlier by Mayor Adam Azim, Meekail said the council should ensure important work continues without interruption. He noted that matters such as investigations into rented land should not be delayed due to the council failing to meet quorum requirements.

He also pledged his full support to begin council activities as early as tomorrow.

Meekail secured the nomination following an internal election held by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) to determine the party’s candidate for deputy mayor.

Four councillors contested the internal vote. Meekail won with seven votes, while North Hulhumalé councillor Fathimath Zahiyyaa received five votes. West Maafannu councillor Mohamed Rilwan and Central Maafannu councillor Aishath Hana each received two votes.

The Malé City Council consists of 18 members, including the mayor.

Councillors elected in the recent local council elections, along with members of Women’s Development Committees, took their oaths of office today.

According to statistics released by the Local Government Authority, 372 councillors had taken their oaths by 12:00pm today, while 304 councillors had yet to complete the process at that time.