Voting underway in by-election for Male mayor
Councillors will also be elected to three seats of the Male City Council which became vacant when they quit to join the new government
Voting for the by-election to elect a mayor of Male began Saturday morning.
Voting started at 8am. Polling stations were scheduled to close at 4pm but due to heavy rains on Friday, polling time was extended to 5pm.
Fifty-five polling stations have been set up for the by-election.
The Elections Commission (EC) has accredited 620 monitors, 197 observers and 165 party representatives for the election.
In addition to the mayorship, which became vacant when Dr Mohamed Muizzu won the September presidential election and took the oath of office in November, councillors will be elected to three seats of the Male City Council which became vacant when they quit to join the new government. The seats are:
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Maafannu South
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Central Henveiru
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Henveiru South
Five candidates are running for mayor:
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Former MTCC CEO Adam Azim (MDP)
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Former Attorney General Azima Shakoor (PPM-PNC)
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Incumbent Galolhu South councillor Mohamed Saif Fatih (Democrats)
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Former MDA National Assembly member Shuaib Ali (Independent)
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Former Commissioner of Police Hussain Waheed; an independent candidate who is contesting with the support of former President Abdulla Yameen
