Voting for the first by-election of councils and Women's Development Committees (WDCs) scheduled for this year started today.
Voting for the by-elections started at 8:00 am this morning and will continued until 04:00 pm. In the islands, the ballot boxes were placed at the local schools, while in Malé, they were placed at Maafannu Madhurasaa for those from the islands living in Malé to cast their votes.
The two island councils and 10 village WDC by-elections constituencies include:
• H.A. Makunudhoo council member and N. Landhoo council member seat allocated only for a woman candidate
• WDC seats for Hdh. Hirimaradhoo, N. Miladhoo, N. Fodhhoo, R. Innamaadhoo, B. Goidhoo, Adh. Hangnaameedhoo, Dh. Hulhudheli, L. Gan, Th. Buruni and GA. Kanduhulhudhoo.
With the new amendment to the law, Election Commission now holds by-elections twice a year.
The first by-election of this year was open for nominations for five local council by-elections and 28 village women’s development committee by-elections. However, 21 of the by-elections were not held as only one candidate contested the by-elections.