Voting is underway in the Hithadhoo North constituency by-election, with more than one-third of eligible voters having already cast their ballots by early afternoon, according to the Elections Commission (EC).
The commission reported that 1,344 voters had participated in the election by 1:00 p.m., representing 32.6 percent of the constituency’s eligible electorate. Of those who voted, 679 were women and 665 were men.
A total of 4,121 people are eligible to vote in the by-election, including 2,073 women and 2,048 men.
Polling stations opened at 8:00 a.m. and are scheduled to remain open until 4:00 p.m. Election officials have been monitoring voting throughout the day, with ballot boxes placed in both Addu City and Malé to accommodate voters.
Seven ballot boxes have been set up for the election. Five are located at Hithadhoo School in Addu City, while two have been established at Dharumavantha School in Malé for eligible voters residing in the capital.
The by-election is being closely watched as it will determine who fills the vacant Hithadhoo North seat in the People’s Majlis.
The vacancy arose following a Supreme Court ruling that removed former MP Mohamed Sinan from office. The court found that Sinan had an established debt and had failed to settle it in accordance with a court judgment, resulting in the loss of his parliamentary seat.
The contest features candidates from the country’s two largest political parties. Representing the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) is former Moolukede Councillor Ahmed Saeed, while the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has fielded former Addu City Mayor Abdulla Sodiq, widely known as Sobe.
Political observers have described the race as an important test for both parties, particularly following recent local council election contests and ongoing political campaigning in Addu City.
The Elections Commission has urged all eligible voters to cast their ballots before polling closes this afternoon. Vote counting is expected to begin shortly after polls close, with preliminary results anticipated later in the evening.
The outcome of the by-election will restore full representation for the Hithadhoo North constituency in the 20th People’s Majlis and is likely to be viewed as an indicator of voter sentiment in one of the country’s key political constituencies.
