Voting Underway to Elect Members to LGA Board

Voting has commenced for the election of members to the Local Government Authority (LGA) board. Under the decentralization law, the board requires one member from city councilors, one from island councilors, and one from chairpersons of women's committees. As Mohamed Athif, Mayor of Kulhudhuffushi City, was the sole candidate for the city council representative position, he was elected unopposed. Voting is now underway for the remaining two positions from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM today. A total of 19 ballot boxes have been placed at locations including the LGA office in Malé, Atoll Government Service Centers, and the Hulhudhoo Social Center. The LGA reports that 807 individuals are eligible to vote, including 625 councilors and 182 chairpersons of women's committees. Voting for the two positions will use a single ballot paper, but with different colored voting cards. Counting is set to begin within 30 minutes after polls close, with temporary results expected tonight and permanent results to be announced on November 3rd. Finance Minister Hassan Zareer serves as the Chairperson of the LGA Board, which is responsible for holding councils accountable, and Mohamed Nimaale is the CEO.