Mahibadhoo Council remains deadlocked as six attempts to choose a vice president have been unsuccessful. The councilors, who were elected for a new five-year term in April, all took their oaths of office on Sunday.

According to law, councils are required to select a vice president during their very first meeting. However, councilor Bunyameen Hassan told Sun on Monday that the Mahibadhoo Council has held six votes to elect a vice president, all ending in a stalemate.

Three candidates are contesting for the position: Bunyameen, an independent; Mohamed Maumoon from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC); and Zaeema Mohamed from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). 

In the initial vote, Bunyameen received one vote, while Maumoon and Zaeema tied with two votes each. No candidate secured a majority, resulting in no election. The subsequent five votes also resulted in ties between Maumoon and Zaeema, with each receiving two votes, as one vote was declared invalid.

A seventh vote is scheduled for 1:00 pm Monday. The inability to elect a vice president is preventing the council from fulfilling its legal duties.