Recently disqualified MP Mohamed Sinan and Hithadhoo Moolekede Councillor Ahmed Saeed have decided to contest the People’s National Congress (PNC) primary to determine the party's candidate for the vacant Hithadhoo North constituency seat.
According to the PNC, Sinan and Saeed were the only two applicants found to be eligible by the deadline after the party opened applications for the Hithadhoo North by-election primary.
Sinan lost his Hithadhoo North seat following a Supreme Court ruling regarding a proven debt.
Supreme Court ousts MP Sinan over bank debt
The Supreme Court has ousted MP Mohamed Sinan from the People’s Majlis. The bench dismissed claims that he was unaware of the judgment to settle a debt, marking the first time a member of the 20th Majlis has been disqualified by the apex court.
His opponent, Saeed, previously contested the Moolekede constituency seat in the last local council elections but was unsuccessful. In that election, Saeed received 583 votes, narrowly losing to the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate, Ahmed Nazeer, who secured 592 votes.
The PNC stated that the primary is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 25, with voting open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Voting will be conducted exclusively at designated polling stations set up by the PNC in the Hithadhoo North constituency and the capital, Male'.
The party further noted that its election committee will oversee all arrangements and proceedings for the primary. The committee is expected to publicly announce the necessary protocols and logistical details for the vote.
The Elections Commission (EC) has scheduled the Hithadhoo North by-election for June 6. The deadline for candidates to file their nominations is 3:00 pm on April 29.
