The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) has emerged victorious in the run-off election for the L. Maavah Women’s Development Committee (WDC), further consolidating its presence in local governance.

The run-off was held today following a deadlock in the initial polls conducted on April 4. The competition featured PNC candidate Fathimath Shafiya and Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate Mariyam Maisa, who had previously received an equal number of votes.

Polling took place across three ballot boxes, including two located on Maavah island and one in the capital, Male’. While Maisa secured a majority in the Male’ ballot box, Shafiya maintained a strong lead in both island-based boxes. The final tally confirmed Shafiya as the winner with a total margin of 17 votes.

This victory brings the PNC’s total seat count in Maavah to nine out of ten available positions. The ruling party only failed to secure one of the two general council seats during this election cycle. Notably, Maavah stood out as the only constituency where a majority of voters supported the proposal to hold both the local council and WDC elections simultaneously.