Candidates from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have won the presidency of the Women’s Development Committee (WDC) in all five cities during the election conducted on Saturday.

On Saturday, voters throughout the Maldives participated in local council elections, WDC elections, and a national referendum regarding the merging of presidential and parliamentary elections.

Initial findings indicate that MDP candidates secured WDC presidencies in all five locations: Male’, Kulhudhuffushi, Thinadhoo, Fuvahmulah, and Addu.

The highly contested Male’ WDC presidency was fought over by Aishath Reesha from MDP and Aishath Alaika from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC). Reesha defeated Alaika by securing more than 15,000 votes.

Every seat in Male’ WDC was secured by MDP, except for Vilimale’. In this context, the PNC’s candidate Hishma Ahmed gained victory in Vilimale’ seat.

Individuals chosen as WDC presidents in different cities:

- Fathimath Hijra – Addu City

- Mariyam Shiuna – Fuvahmulah Town

- Mariyam Sharoona – Thinadhoo Town

- Aminath Ibrahim – Kulhudhuffushi City

Following significant campaign spending, the government faced humiliation in the three elections conducted on Saturday as MDP claimed all five mayoral positions in the five cities, with incumbent mayors retaining their roles.

MDP also secured most of the council and WDC positions.

In the meantime, most opposed the government-supported amendment to combine the presidential and parliamentary elections, which significantly undermined the government.

Out of 294,876 individuals eligible to vote in the three elections conducted on Saturday, 185,709 people had submitted their votes by the end of polling hours. This represents 63 percent of those qualified to vote.