The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has secured the mayoral seats in all five cities in the local council elections held today.
According to the votes counted so far, MDP has won the mayoral seats in Male', Addu, Kulhudhuffushi, Fuvahmulah and Thinadhoo.
The incumbent Mayor Adam Azim was re-elected in Male', while the incumbent Mayor Ali Nizar was re-elected in Addu and the incumbent Mayor Mohamed Athif also defended his seat in Kulhudhuffushi.
The incumbent Mayor Ismail Rafeeq was also re-elected in Fuvahmulah and the incumbent Mayor Saud Ali was re-elected in Thinadhoo.
Provisional results show that the MDP won most of the council seats. The government is also facing a major defeat in the bid to merge the presidential and parliamentary elections.
