Elections Commission has decided to establish seven polling stations for the upcoming Hithadhoo North by-election.

According to the commission, five polling stations will be located in Addu City and two in Male'.

The polling stations in Addu will be set up at Hithadhoo School, while voters in Male' will cast ballots at Dharumavantha School.

The commission has also opened applications for election observers and monitors, with the deadline set for Wednesday.

Associations and individuals can apply through the commission’s online portal, while political parties are required to submit observer forms through the Simedha portal.

The by-election was triggered after former Hithadhoo North MP Mohamed Sinaan lost his parliamentary seat over unpaid debt linked to a loan obtained from an Islamic bank in October 2024.

A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court ruled that Sinaan had forfeited his seat after failing to repay MVR 2.5 million owed under the loan agreement.

The by-election is being contested by former Addu City mayor Abdulla Sodiq, representing the Maldivian Democratic Party, and Ahmed Saeed of the ruling People's National Congress.