MDP concerned over absence of Hulhumale’ polling station for North Hithadhoo by-election

The main opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has expressed concern regarding the Elections Commission (EC)’s decision not to designate any polling stations in Hulhumalé for the upcoming North Hithadhoo constituency parliamentary by-election, scheduled for June 6.

In a letter addressed to EC, MDP noted that the list of polling station locations published recently does not include any sites in Hulhumalé Phase I or Phase II. The party emphasized that a substantial number of individuals from the constituency reside in Hulhumalé, and that the decision would therefore impose significant inconvenience on voters.

“While the locations for polling stations for the North Hithadhoo by-election, scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026, have been announced, it does not include any stations in Hulhumalé Phase I or Phase II,” the letter read.

The party further highlighted that, according to statistics from the Local Council Elections held last April, approximately 300 individuals registered under the North Hithadhoo constituency had re-registered to vote in Hulhumalé.

“Requiring these 300 individuals to re-register again would be a significant burden,” the party stressed.

Accordingly, the MDP has requested that the Commission facilitate a polling station in Hulhumalé to ensure that the electoral rights of both candidates and constituents are not denied.

EC has yet to comment on MDP’s request. Generally, during by-elections, polling stations are established within the relevant island constituency and in Malé City. However, the Commission retains discretion to establish additional stations in areas with significant population concentrations.

The by-election was triggered after the Supreme Court ruled on April 12^th which saw ruling PNC's Mohamed Sinan, who previously held the seat, became unseated. The ruling followed a case filed by Ghalib Saleem, citing Sinan’s failure to settle a MVR 3.8 million debt in accordance with a judgment issued by the Addu Hithadhoo Magistrate Court. All five justices presiding over the case unanimously determined that Sinan had been unseated due to proven unsettled debt.

The Elections Commission has officially scheduled the by-election for North Hithadhoo parliamentary seat for June 6, from 8:00am to 16:00pm, with official results expected to be declared on June 8.