PPM wins Maafaru Council by-election

Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) has reported that the party won the by-election for Maafaru Island Council, held today.

PPM Spokesperson Ahmed Mahloof said that Anwar Abdul Ghanee, representing PPM, won 323 votes in the by-election, while Mohamed Abdul Ghanee, the candidate from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) led by former President Mohamed Nasheed could only muster 283 votes.

Elections Commission of the Maldives had reported that there were 700 eligible voters in the Maafaru Constituency.

A couple of weeks ago, on the 14th of this month, PPM won the parliamentary by-election for Thimarafushi Council, when its member Ahmed Shareef beat MDP candidate Mohamed Mustafa. On the same date, PPM also won a Council by-election, for H.Dh. Kumundhoo Constituency, again beating an MDP candidate.

Anwar Abdul Ghanee, who was elected today for Maafaru Council, was previously elected for the same seat as an MDP candidate. However, he developed a difference of opinion with the Party, and left the Party, losing his seat in the process. Then he joined PPM, and has come around to win the seat he lost, as a PPM candidate.