Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)candidateFarishMaumoon had claimed the vacant Parliament seat for Dhiggaru Constituency with a crushing majority.
In the elections, which were held Saturday, Farish claimed 1238 votes, which amounts to 59.40 percent of the votes. Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate Ahmed Raazee claimed 36.61 percent of the votes, which is 736 votes.
The voter turnout for the by-election was over 82 percent. Elections Commission (EC) had commended the role political parties paid in encouraging all eligible voters to cast their ballots.
Speaking after the elections, PPM stated that the opposition had already claimed that this elections was a minor one, after the results were announced. However, the Party stated that the elections were not an insignificant elections and that the elections had been quite competitive.
The Party added that though the Party had claimed the Presidency with an underwhelming 25 percent, the situation has changed. With this result, the Party stated that they had claimed the hearts and minds of the public and that this has been a strong indication of their strength to the opposition and the world.
As such, the Party added that they had attained 60 percent of the vote and that this was a significant win against the opposition.
PPM stated that Dhiggaru seat in the Parliament has always been filled by Parliamentarians supporting President Abdullah Yameen.
EC had reported that there were three complaints filed to the Commission regarding the election. The Commission added that Police was investigating the reports that some individuals had distributed letters and campaigned during hours in which campaigning was banned.EC also stated that they have responded to the issues that were raised.
EC added that even though many Government pledges had been announced to the Constituency in the period leading up to the elections, the Commission could not accept them as issues as no complaints had been filed regarding those projects.
The Commission also said that there was a case of black magic filed to the Commission. However, there was not sufficient evidence to back the claim and as such the Commission had not pursued the case.
It was observed the elections were carried out with complete freedom for media.
Farish claims Dhiggaru seat with strong majority
