MDP secures WDC presidency in all five cities

Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s candidates have secured Women’s Development Committee (WDC) presidency across all five cities in the election held on Saturday.

Voters across the Maldives took part in local council elections, WDC elections, and a national referendum on whether to merge presidential and parliamentary elections on Saturday. 

Preliminary results show that MDP candidates won WDC presidencies in all five cities: Male’, Kulhudhuffushi, Thinadhoo, Fuvahmulah and Addu.

The most competitive seat, Male’ WDC presidency, was contested by Aishath Reesha from MDP and Aishath Alaika from ruling People’s National Congress (PNC). Reesha won over Alaika with over 15,000 votes.

All except Vilimale’ seat in Male’ WDC was won by MDP. In this regard, Vilimale’ seat was won by PNC’s candidate Hishma Ahmed.

Candidates elected as WDC presidents in other cities:

• Fathimath Hijra – Addu City
• Mariyam Shiuna – Fuvahmulah City
• Mariyam Sharoona – Thinadhoo City
• Aminath Ibrahim – Kulhudhuffushi City

The government, after huge campaign expenditure, was humiliated in the three elections held on Saturday as MDP secured all five mayoral seats across the five cities, as incumbent mayors defended their seats.

MDP also swept the majority of the council and WDC seats.

Meanwhile, the majority were against the government-backed amendment to merge the presidential and parliamentary elections, which dealt a major blow to the government.

While 294,876 people were eligible to vote in the three elections held on Saturday, a total of 185,709 individuals cast their votes at the closure of polling hours. This accounts for 63 percent of the eligible voters.