Meekail wins deputy mayor race with clear margin as PNC councillors sit out

MDP councillor for Henveiru Central, Meekail Mohamed Riyaz, has been elected Deputy Mayor of Male' City.

Four councillors had expressed interest in the deputy mayorship of the fifth Male' City Council. In addition to Meekail, they were:

• Maafannu West councillor Mohamed Rilwan Ali  

• Maafannu Central councillor Aishath Hana  

• Hulhumale' North councillor Fatimath Zahiyya

Meekail was ultimately selected by the council to serve as deputy mayor. He secured seven votes. His closest rival, Zahiyya, received five votes, while Rilwan and Hana received two votes each.

Meekail was elected deputy mayor at the first meeting of the newly sworn‑in council held this afternoon. The council includes two PNC councillors this term; neither contested for the post, and Meekail was elected.

Including the mayor, the Male' City Council now comprises 18 councillors. Sixteen belong to the MDP, while two represent the PNC.