The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) has secured a landslide victory in Saturday’s local council and Women’s Development Committees (WDC) by-elections, preliminary results showed.
According to the preliminary results of the Elections Commission Maldives (ECM), PNC has won eight of the 12 by-elections.
PNC won the council seat in Nilandhoo along with WDC seats of Gan, Laamu Atoll, Kan’duhulhudhoo, Gaafu Alifu Atoll, Hirimaradhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Burunee, Thaa Atoll, Goidhoo Baa Atoll, Innamaadhoo, Raa Atoll and Fehendhoo, Noonu Atoll.
Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) secured the WDC seat of Hanyaameedhoo, Alifu Dhaalu Atoll and Miladhoo Noonu Atoll.
The council seat of Makunudhoo, Haa Dhaalu and WDC seat of Hulhudheli, Dhaalu Atoll were won by independent candidates.
ECM announced the first by-election this year for 33 seats, including 28 vacancies in WDCs and five in local councils.
However, when the deadline expired for candidatures, ECM had to hold just 12 by-elections as the rest of the vacancies have been automatically filled with only one candidate expressing interest to contest.
The government last year amended the relevant laws to hold by-elections for WDCs once a year and biannually for local councils. The amendment was designed to cut-down costs, address logistical challenges faced by both the ECM and voters.
ECM had earlier said it had hoped for better interest among voters with less frequent by-elections.