MDP councilor Zaeema Mohamed was elected vice-president of the Mahibadhoo Council after eight rounds of voting among newly elected councilors.

The five councilors were sworn in earlier on Sunday, but the council was unable to begin official work as the law requires the election of a vice-president during the first meeting.

Repeated tied votes had delayed the process.

Three candidates contested the position: Zaeema Mohamed from the MDP, PNC councillor Mohamed Maumoon and independent councillor Bunyaamin Hassan.

In the first round of voting, both Zaeema and Maumoon received two votes each, while Bunyaamin secured one vote.

Subsequent rounds repeatedly ended in deadlock, with Zaeema and Maumoon tied and one ballot declared invalid each time.

Councilors held six meetings on the first day alone in an attempt to resolve the impasse, followed by another meeting yesterday afternoon.

The deadlock was finally broken during a meeting held at 9pm, where Zaeema secured three votes against Maumoon’s two.

Zaeema had also contested the previous local council election for the post of Mahibadhoo council president, but was unsuccessful in that race.