The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has announced the numbers assigned to the candidates contesting the Male' City mayoral by-election.
The numbers of the candidates were assigned at a ceremony held at the Dharubaaruge convention centre. In addition to the mayoral by-election, the names of the candidates contesting the three vacant seats in the Male' City Council were announced and a lucky draw was also held to determine the candidate numbers.
During the lucky draw, Shuaib Ali representing independently was assigned as Candidate Number 1, former Commissioner of Police Hussain Waheed representing independently as Candidate Number 2, former Attorney General Aishath Azima Shakoor representing the ruling coalition of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People's National Congress (PNC) as Candidate Number 3, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) representing the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Adam Azim as Candidate Number 4, and incumbent City Councilor representing The Democrats Saif Fathih as Candidate Number 5.
The position of Male’ City mayor became vacant after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu resigned to assume office in November. Simultaneously, the three other council seats became vacant as councilors resigned to take on roles in the new administration. They include South Maafannu, Central Henveiru, and South Henveiru constituencies. The mayoral election will be held on January 13.