Government has ‘declared defeat’ by halting LGA board election, Nasheed says

The indefinite postponement of the Local Government Authority (LGA) board elections for councillors and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) chairpersons is a declaration of defeat by the government, former President and opposition MDP chairman Mohamed Nasheed said on Tuesday evening.

The election of an island councillor and a WDC chairperson was scheduled for Saturday, August 8.

The LGA issued a press release on Tuesday evening stating that the election had been postponed indefinitely. The authority said the decision was made because “important works related to the election have not been completed.” However, the LGA did not disclose details of the pending work.

Reacting on X, Nasheed said the announcement amounted to the government accepting defeat. “The LGA board election must be held on date,” he wrote.

LGA board ge inthikhaabu muhdhatheh nethi faskurun e ee sarukaarun amilla ah bali iulaan kurun. LGA ge inthikhaabu thaareekhah baavvaan jehey.

— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) August 4, 2026

The election for the LGA board seats, representing councillors and WDC chairpersons, was opened on July 12 last year, after which the authority announced the list of candidates.

Contestants  

Among the island councillors:  

• F. Nilandhoo Council President Ali Ahmed (PNC)  

• N. Manadhoo Council President Ali Safir (MDP)

Among the WDC candidates:  

• L. Gan WDC President Mariyam Neena (MDP)  

• Sh. Funadhoo WDC President Mariyam Zeena (PNC)

The LGA was formed in 2010 during Nasheed’s administration, following the passage of the Decentralization of Administrative Areas Act that year.