Run-off elections on Saturday for five seats after record turnout in local council vote

Apr 12, 2026, 9:47 AM
Local Council Elections 2026 and referendum.

Local Council Elections 2026 and referendum.

The Elections Commission (EC) has announced that run-off elections for seats that resulted in a tie during the April 4 Local Council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections will be held on Saturday (April 18). 

While the EC has not officially gazetted the specific constituencies requiring a second round, provisional results released by the commission indicate that five seats ended in a tie. These include two local council seats and three WDC seats.

The tied seats are as follows:

  • Baa Dhonfanu Council (Seat reserved for women): PNC candidate Aishath Muna and MDP candidate Aminath Rafahu, 113 votes each.
  • Fuvahmulah Dhandimagu Constituency: PNC candidate Aishath Abdul Qadir and Independent candidate Shiza Ibrahim, 484 votes each.
  • Haa Alif Kelaa WDC President: MDP candidate Mahudhiyya Adam and PNC candidate Hawwa Fazna, 587 votes each.
  • Haa Dhaal Neykurendhoo WDC Member: PNC candidate Fathimath Riuza and Independent candidate Fathimath Nishadha, 300 votes each.
  • Laamu Maavah WDC Member: PNC candidate Fathimath Shafiyya and MDP candidate Mariyam Maaisha, 564 votes each.

The recent election saw the highest voter turnout ever recorded for a local council election. A total of 215,346 people cast their ballots, representing 73 percent of the eligible voting population.

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) secured the majority of council seats in this election, while the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) won the majority of seats for the Women’s Development Committees.

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