Preparations are underway for the Hithadhoo North parliamentary by-election, with the Elections Commission announcing that ballot boxes will begin being dispatched on Wednesday ahead of polling day next week.
The by-election is scheduled to take place on June 6, with more than 4,000 eligible voters expected to cast their ballots to elect a new representative for the constituency.
Speaking to local media, officials from the Elections Commission said arrangements are being finalized to transport ballot boxes from June 3 to ensure polling stations are ready before voting begins.
According to the commission, a total of 4,121 voters are registered to participate in the by-election.
Seven ballot boxes will be used for the vote. Two of the boxes will be designated for eligible voters from Hithadhoo North who are currently residing in Malé, while the remaining five will be stationed in Addu City.
Voters in the capital will cast their ballots at the southern building of Dharumavantha School. Meanwhile, polling in Addu City will take place at Hithadhoo School.
The contest is expected to be closely watched, with candidates from the country’s two largest political parties competing for the seat.
Representing the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) is former Moolukede councillor Ahmed Saeed, who has been assigned candidate number one on the ballot.
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has fielded former Addu City Mayor Abdulla Sodiq, widely known as Sobe, who will appear as candidate number two.
Election officials stated that voting will take place from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on June 6.
The Hithadhoo North by-election is one of the key electoral contests taking place this year and is expected to provide an indication of political sentiment in Addu City, one of the country’s most politically active regions.
