Azim confirms MDP ticket for Male’ mayoral election

Adam Azim, the former managing director of Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), has confirmed the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s ticket for the upcoming Male’ mayoral by-election, after running unopposed.

The deadline for candidacy for MDP’s primary for by-elections to pick the new Male’ City mayor and three other vacant seats at the city council expired on Saturday.

In a statement on Saturday afternoon, the main opposition party announced that only a single candidate had applied to run for each of the four seats, and that they would therefore receive the party’s ticket without a primary.

The other three candidates confirmed tickets are:

• Ahmed Rishwan Rasheed, Central Henveiru seat
• Hawwa Nil’ha, South Henveiru seat
• Ahmed Imran, South Machangolhi seat

Elections Commission has announced that the Male’ city council by-elections will be held on January 13.

The position of Male’ City mayor became vacant after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu resigned to take office as the Maldivian president in November. Meanwhile, the three other seats at the council fell vacant after councilors resigned to assume positions at the new administration. They are; Abdulla Nasir, who represented South Maafannu constituency; Adam Rameez, who represented Central Henveiru constituency; and Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem, who represented South Henveiru constituency.

Other candidates who have announced plans to contest the Male’ mayoral by-election includes Saif Fathih, an incumbent city councilor and politician from Democrats; Azima Shukoor, a former attorney general, Hussain Waheed, a former police commissioner.

The Elections Commission will also be holding by-elections to elect an official to V. Rakeedhoo Council, and officials to women’s development committees in 18 islands on the same day.