Polls open in LGA board elections

Polls opened on Saturday morning to elect members to the board of the Local Government Authority (LGA).

The Decentralization Act requires for three representatives from councils and women’s development committees to be elected to LGA’s board; one from among city councilors, one from among island councilors, and one from among presidents of WDCs.

Kulhudhuffushi City Mayor Mohamed Athif has already secured a seat at the board, having run unopposed for the seat of city councilors.

Saturday’s vote will see members elected to the two remaining seats.

According to the LGA, polls are open for six hours from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm at 19 polling stations across the country, including the LGA headquarters in Male’, government services centers, and the Hulhudhoo social center.

Voters who are queued by 04:00 pm will all be allowed to cast their ballot, says the LGA.

The Public Service Media (PSM), quoting LGA officials, reported that 807 individuals are eligible to vote in the elections. This includes 625 councilors and 182 presidents of WDCs.

Both ballot papers are being cast into the same box, but are printing in different colors to easily tell them apart, says the LGA.

The counting of ballots is set to begin 30 minutes after polling closes and ballot boxes are sealed. Preliminary results will be announced on Saturday night, and the permanent results on November 3.

The LGA is a state body mandated with regulating councils. Finance Minister Hassan Zareer serves as the president, while Mohamed Nimal serves as the CEO.