PNC wins both LGA board elections

The ruling People's National Congress (PNC) has won both elections held today to elect members to the board of the Local Government Authority (LGA). The party secured one position from among island councilors and one from among the chairs of committees working for women's development. In the vote to elect a member from among the chairs of island councils, the PNC candidate received 314 votes, accounting for 58.04 percent of voters. The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate received 227 votes. The PNC candidate also secured the majority in all atolls except four. The PNC also won the vote for the member from among the chairs of women's development committees by a margin of 26 votes, receiving 89 votes to the MDP's 63 votes. According to the Decentralization Law, three members must be elected to the LGA board: one from city councilors, one from island councilors, and one from the chairs of women's development committees. Since only the Mayor of Kulhudhuffushi City, Mohamed Athif, stood for the position elected from city councils, he was elected without a vote. Today's elections were for the remaining two positions. The elections took place from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM today, with 807 eligible voters, including 625 councilors and 182 chairs of women's development committees. The LGA announced that provisional results will be released tonight, with final results to be announced on November 3 in accordance with regulations. The LGA board, which holds councils accountable and responsible, is chaired by Finance Minister Hassan Zareer, with Mohamed Nimaale serving as CEO.