8 incumbent councillors defeated in Malé vote
Prior to the election, several councillors were absent from council meetings, resulting in a lack of quorum and the cancellation of sessions.
Eight sitting members of the Malé City Council, including Deputy Mayor Ahmed Areesh, were not re-elected in Saturday’s Local Council Elections.
Most of the councillors contested for a second term under the People’s National Congress (PNC). A total of nine incumbents, including Mayor Adam Azim, sought re-election.
Provisional results show that Azim, representing the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), was the only sitting councillor to retain his seat.
Data released by the Elections Commission of Maldives indicates that seven councillors aligned with the PNC and independent candidate Nahula Ali lost their seats. The seats held by PNC candidates were won by MDP candidates.
Areesh, who was elected in 2021 from the North West Maafannu constituency, lost his re-election bid. He received 665 votes, or 37 per cent, while Mohamed Rishwan of the MDP secured 1,029 votes, or 58 per cent.
Other councillors who were not re-elected include Mariyam Reehan, who received 592 votes (35 per cent) in North Galolhu. The seat was won by Aminath Irasha Mohamed of the MDP with 880 votes (52 per cent).
Ibrahim Mohamed, South Galolhu councillor, received 900 votes (41 per cent), while Ismail Haleem of the MDP secured 915 votes (42 per cent).
Aminath Rishfa Ahmed, South Henveiru councillor, received 579 votes (44 per cent). Aishath Nazima of the MDP won the seat with 606 votes (46 per cent).
Fathimath Shaufa Saleem, West Henveiru councillor, contested in North Hulhumalé and received 774 votes (41 per cent). Fathimath Zahiyya of the MDP secured 921 votes (48 per cent).
Aishath Nizly Rashid, North Henveiru councillor, received 467 votes (44 per cent), while Fathimath Laiza of the MDP secured 601 votes (56 per cent).
Hassan Nizam, South Maafannu councillor, received 621 votes (44 per cent). Ibrahim Labaan Shareef of the MDP won the seat with 779 votes (56 per cent).
Nahula Ali, the Villimalé councillor, contested independently in West Henveiru and received 221 votes (16 per cent), placing third among four candidates.
Areesh, Reehan and Nizly were elected in 2021 on MDP tickets and later joined the PNC in 2024.
The PNC holds a majority in the Malé City Council. Prior to the election, several councillors were absent from council meetings, resulting in a lack of quorum and the cancellation of sessions.
Some of the cancelled meetings included agenda items related to administrative matters during the tenure of President Mohamed Muizzu as Mayor of Malé.
The results remain provisional pending completion of the count.
