The Elections Commission says only 14.08 percent of the eligible voters for the by-elections being held today voted in the polls in the first five hours since voting began.
The Commission is holding by-elections for the vacant Mayorship of Male' City along with three other Council Seats and to fill a seat on the Women Development Committee of Meemu Mulak.
It said that 56,002 voters are eligible to cast their votes in the by-elections being held today. The Commission stated that till 1:00 p.m. today, only 7,883 voters cast their votes in the election so far.
It said that this includes 4,537 men and 3,346 women. The Commission said that this also amounts to 14.08 percent of the total eligible voters.
This means 85.92 percent or 48.119 voters are yet to cast their votes in the by-elections today.
The Elections Commission initially set the voting time from 08:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m. today but after the relentless downpour in the capital Male' yesterday, the Commission extended the voting time till 05:00 p.m. today.
Former Attorney General Azima Shakoor is competing for the Mayorship from the ruling PNC while former CEO of MTCC Adam Azim is competing for the opposition MDP.
From the democrats, current Councillor for Galolhu North Constituency Saif Fathih is competing for the Mayorship while Independent Candidates former CP Hussain Waheed and Shuaib Ali are also vying for the mayorship.
Today's by-election will also see seats filled for Maafannnu South, Henveiru North, Henveiru Central on the council as the former Councillors moved on to government jobs after previous Mayor Dr Mohamed Muizzu won the last Presidential Election and went onto become the 8th President of the Maldives.
