Both the ruling PNC and opposition MDP wrapped up their election campaigns with marches in Malé on Friday evening. Voting took place nationwide on Saturday for the local council elections and public referendum on concurrent presidential and parliamentary elections. Polls closed at 5pm after the Elections Commission extended voting by an hour, citing heat and long queues. Turnout stood at 45 percent at 2pm but reached 63 percent by 4pm. Lines stretched outside polling stations in Malé at the new closing time. According to preliminary results, the MDP swept all five cities with incumbent mayors retaining their seats in Malé, Addu, Fuvahmulah, Kulhudhuffushi, and Thinadhoo. Voters decisively rejected the proposed constitutional amendment with 72 percent of voters opposed to holding the elections on the same day.
MTCC drew scrutiny after posting 48 job vacancies after 11:45pm on election eve – less than 11 hours before the application deadline of 11:00am on polling day – in what critics viewed as a pattern of state-owned companies offering jobs to coincide with the referendum and council elections. The Elections Commission confirmed it has referred three such cases to the Anti-Corruption Commission, which has yet to comment. Most of the MTCC vacancies were in the Construction and Dredging Division, with salaries ranging from MVR 10,000 (US$ 648) to MVR 15,400.
A 63-year-old Maldivian man died after attempting to rescue two children who were swept away by a current while swimming in Vaavu Fulidhoo. He was brought to the island's health centre in critical condition and passed away while receiving treatment.
A fire broke out at Atoll Education Centre in Gaafu Alif Vilingili in the early hours of Friday. MNDF firefighters from Thinadhoo Fire Station were deployed to the island after they were alerted around 12:40am. Military personnel, local institutions, and residents worked together to bring the fire under control by 01:26am. It was fully extinguished by 2:50am. No injuries were reported.
Five people – four foreigners and one Maldivian – were found unconscious aboard the DММА Express 5 ferry at Malé's North Harbour. They were taken to IGMH for treatment. The vessel operates between Malé and Kulhudhuffushi, and a source told Adhadhu the victims lost consciousness due to fumes from the boat's generator.
Two women used a fake bank transfer slip to obtain MVR 8,788 worth of makeup from the New Edition store in Hulhumalé. CCTV footage of the incident went viral after the store posted it publicly and offered a reward for information. Police identified the suspect behind the fraudulent slip, and the money has since been repaid to the store.
The US$ 500 million sukuk was settled through a combination of official reserves and the Sovereign Development Fund, the central bank said, crediting policy measures including the Foreign Currency Act with strengthening reserves sufficiently to meet the obligation.
