Voter casting her ballot in South Huvadhu Atoll Thinadhoo/ Photo Cradit: www.haveeru.com.mv
The first local council Election is underway in the Maldives. The ballot casting started 9 am in the Maldives. Total of 2754 candidates are running for the 1091 seats to be elected, which includes 16 seats for two city elections(Male and Addu city council), 132 seats for Atoll councils(19 Atoll councils) and 942 seats for 188 island councils(188 island council). This is the biggest election ever in the Maldives and very important step in its democratic governance. Previously the islands and Atolls were governed and administrated by the people elected by the government. Among the 2754 candidates 33.48% are candidates from the governing party MDP(Maldivian Democratic Party), 32.03% are from the Rival DRP(Dhivehi Rahyithunge Party, 1.89% represent Adhaalath Party, 1.67% represent Jumhoory Party, 0.48% represent Gaumee Ihthihaadh, 0.29% represent Dhivehi Qaumy Party, 0.09% represent Peoples Allaince and Remaining 29.92% are represented by the Independent Candidates. As the ballots are casted and the votes are being counted many problems are reported to the Maldives Elections Complains Bieuro. The observers from the Common Wealth, United Nations and Many local observers are observing the Election.
