The main opposition Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) has won the Haa Alif Vashafaru's Women's Development Committee by-election seat.
PPM candidate Zuha Ibrahim from New Force, Haa Alif Vashafaru, won the seat without going to the polls as no other individuals submitted candidacy papers during the period granted for form submission. No parties have disclosed why it did not produce a candidate for the election initially slated for next month.
Election Commission's Vice-President Ismail Habeeb has expressed concern over PPM's victory without an election.
"The main goal of political parties is to contest elections. Where are the other parties?" Habeeb tweeted.
PPM has a majority in the Vashafaru Council and the island's Women's Development Committee.
