The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has assigned the numbers for the three candidates that will be contesting the Guraidhoo Constituency by-election.
The candidates contesting the vacant Guraidhoo Constituency Parliament seat include Ibrahim Shaz, who received the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) ticket after winning the primary election, and Ali Areef who received the Maldives National Party (MNP) ticket. The main opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) awarded its ticket to Hussain Riza, the younger brother of the late Parliamentarian Ibrahim Riza who filled the seat for three terms.
ECM drew lots to determine the candidate numbers for the by-election. Candidate number one will be Hussain Riza, candidate number two will be Ibrahim Shaz, and Ali Arif will be candidate number three, according to the draw.
ECM has decided to hold a by-election for the Guraidhoo constituency on April 15. It is the second time a by-election is being held during the current parliamentary term. The first by-election was held after the death of Parliamentarian Hussain Waheed.