MDP celebrates win

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is currently gathered at Artificial Beach in Male' celebrating their win in yesterday's Local Council Elections. 

Candidates who won Male' City Council seats and incumbent Male' Mayor Adam Azim, who was re-elected, have joined the celebrations.

As per preliminary results so far, MDP has secured mayoral seats in all five cities. Ruling PNC, meanwhile, has won the majority of the 498 council seats for which results have come in.

As such, PNC has won 220 seats, while MDP has won 207. 

Of the 226 WDC seats that results have come in for, PNC has won 100 seats, and MDP has won 83. 

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that he accepts the results of the three elections held today.

In a post on X, President Muizzu extended congratulations to those who claimed victory in today's elections. 

"I assure the beloved Maldivian citizens that, with God's grace, I will continue working to address and correct the issues within the government, in line with the sentiments of the people," he wrote. 

70% votes against holding two main elections concurrently.

In today's referendum on holding the presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day, a large majority has voted against the move as per preliminary results. 

Of the more than 12,000 votes counted so far, 73 percent voted against the move. 

Independent Male' mayoral candidate Ismail Zariyand has conceded defeat and congratulated MDP candidate Adam Azim on his victory. 

Former President Mohamed Nasheed shared a post on X stating the MDP has won today's election through defeating the government with a large margin. 

"All cities, most islands, and in the referendum, the people have said a resounding 'no' to the government," he wrote. 

Nasheed congratulated voters and candidates. 

MDP secures Thinadhoo City Mayor seat despite close race

One of the most competitive seats in today's Local Council Elections was the mayoral seat of the Thinadhoo City Council.

 Opposition MDP candidate Saudh Ali has secured the Thinadhoo City Mayor seat as per preliminary results.

Vote counting has resumed at the Majeedhiya School ballot box after a temporary halt caused by a dispute over the validity of some ballots. The issue has since been resolved, and counting has resumed. 

MDP wins majority in Kulhudhuffushi City Council 

MDP appears to have won a clear majority in the Kudhuffushi City Council as well, as per preliminary results. Votes counted so far show MDP winning all except one seat in the Kulhudhuffushi City Council. 

MDP wins majority in Addu City Council

Preliminary results so far in today's Local Council Elections show that opposition MDP has won majority in the Addu City Council. 

Addu City Mayor's seat has also gone to MDP candidate and incumbent mayor Ali Nizar. 

In the Male' Mayor race, preliminary results so far show opposition MDP candidate and incumbent mayor Adam Azim leading with over 43 percent votes. 

Ruling PNC candidate Moosa Ali Jaleel has received 28 percent votes. 

Third in the running is independent candidate Ismail Zariyandh, with 23 percent votes. 

In the mayoral race in Fuvahmulah City, preliminary results so far place MDP candidate Ismail Rafeeq in the lead with a large margin. 

Elections Commission said that as of 8:30pm, seven ballot boxes remain open. Polls closed at 5pm, but long queues were present at some voting stations. 

As per preliminary results, the race for Thinadhoo mayor is highly competitive. There is a marginal difference in the number of votes secured so far by MDP candidate Saudh Ali and PNC candidate Mohamed Ajeeb. 

Preliminary results so far show MDP candidate and incumbent Mayor of Addu City Ali Nizar leading the race with a wide margin for Addu City mayor seat.

Elections Commission just announced that of the total 588 ballot boxes, 13 are yet to be sealed. 

Preliminary results of the Local Council Elections so far indicate that opposition MDP candidates are leading in Mayor seats in most cities. 

In the referendum taken today, preliminary results so far lean against holding the two main elections on the same day. 

Of the approximately 1,330 votes counted so far, 67 percent have voted against. 

EC Vice President Solah stated that the commission is looking into an issue in counting valid and invalid votes at a ballot box in Majeedhiya School. 

Preliminary results have started coming in from ballot boxes in some islands and resorts. 

Maldives voted today in three concurrent elections. 

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According to the Elections Commission, while polls closed at 5pm, 512 out of 588 ballot boxes have now been sealed. 

The government has announced that the next two days, Sunday, April 5 and Monday, April 6, are government holidays. 

An announcement by the President's Office stated that the two days have been declared public holidays on the request of the Elections Commission as many government staff are engaged in various election-related activities. 

Polling booths are being closed and ballot boxes are sealed.

Vote counting has begun at some polling centres. 

Maldives is seeing the Local Council elections, Women's Development Committee elections, and the referendum on holding the presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day being held concurrently today.     

Polls opened at 8am and was set to close at 4pm. Elections Commission extended voting hours by one hour, with polling stations closed at 5pm.