MDP paints entire Fuvahmulah City ‘yellow’

The preliminary results on the local council elections held on Saturday shows the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) failed to win any seats in the Fuvahmulah City Council, turning the entire southern city “yellow.”

Preliminary results show the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) won eight out of nine seats in the Fuvahmulah City Council, including that of the mayor.

All eight MDP candidates also secured their victories with over 50 percent of votes.

Candidates elected to Fuvahmulah City Council:

• Mayor: Ismail Rafeeq (MDP)
• Miskiymagu member: Mohamed Liraar (MDP)
• Maalegan member: Khadheeja Moosa (MDP)
• Maadhadu member: Fathimath Maasha (MDP)
• Hoadhadu member: Aishath Ibrahim (MDP)
• Funaadu member: Aminath Inaya (MDP)
• Dhoodigan member: Mariyam Zaheena Ahmed (MDP)
• Dhiguvaadu member: Hassan Shirhan (MDP)
• Dhadimagu member: Sheeza Ibrahim (independent)

The only none-MDP member elected to the City Council, Sheeza ran as an independent candidate with the endorsement of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s People’s National Front (PNF). This was also a seat that the MDP did not contest.

The PNC administration suffered a huge defeat in the council elections, with the MDP claiming the majority of seats, including in all five Maldivian cities. The administration also lost the referendum it initiated to gauge the public’s opinion on synchronizing future presidential and parliamentary elections.