The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) has won both seats up for election to the Local Government Authority (LGA) Board representing island councilors and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) presidents.
In the race for the councilors’ representative on the LGA Board, Nilandhoo (Faafu Atoll) Council President Ali Ahmed, representing the PNC, contested against Manadhoo (Noonu Atoll) Council President Ali Zaafir of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
advertisement
advertisement
According to the interim results released by the LGA, Ali Ahmed won the island council seat by an 87-vote margin, securing 314 votes against Ali Zaafir’s 227 votes (early provisional counts had shown 312 to 229).
For the WDC presidents’ seat, Maryam Zeena, President of the Funadhoo (Shaviyani Atoll) WDC representing the PNC, defeated MDP’s Maryam Neena, President of the Gan (Laamu Atoll) WDC.
Zeena secured the seat with a 26-vote lead, receiving 93 votes to Neena’s 67 votes (earlier provisional figures indicated 79 to 53).
The election saw disruption in the north, where all RTL ferry routes across three northern atolls were abruptly canceled on the morning of the vote.
A total of 807 eligible voters were registered for the election, consisting of 625 councilors and WDC presidents.
Meanwhile, Kulhudhuffushi City Mayor Mohamed Athif ran uncontested to represent city councils on the LGA Board and was elected without a vote.
In August, the People’s Majlis approved the appointment of Aishath Arifa to the LGA Board as the female member with expertise in gender equality, alongside Mohamed Arif as the member possessing expertise in governance or public administration.
The remaining members of the LGA Board include Board President and Minister of Finance Hassan Zareer, Vice President Fathimath Niuma, Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Nimal, Board Member Fathimath Zeena Ali, Board Member Mohamed Asad, and Board Member Azha Shameem.
