Voting has commenced to determine the candidate representing the ruling PNC in the upcoming by-election for the Hithadhoo North parliamentary seat.

The by-election was triggered after the Supreme Court ruled that the seat held by PNC member Mohamed Sinan had become vacant. Sinan lost his seat after it was proven that he failed to settle a debt of MVR 2.5 million to Maldives Islamic Bank in accordance with a court judgment.

Voting for the primary began this morning in both Malé and Addu City Hithadhoo. In Malé, the polling station is located at Kalaafaanu School, while in Hithadhoo, voting is taking place at Hithadhoo School.

According to the PNC, 727 members are eligible to vote in this primary. The polls are scheduled to remain open until 4:00 PM this afternoon.

Mohamed Sinan, who recently lost the seat, is contesting in the primary to reclaim his position. He is running against Ahmed Saeed (Soda), the current councilor for the Moolekede district of Addu City.

The Elections Commission (EC) has scheduled the Hithadhoo North by-election for June 6. The window for candidates to officially file their candidacy with the EC remains open until 3:00 PM on the 29th of this month.

Meanwhile, the opposition MDP has already secured its candidate. Since no other members applied for the primary, the party ticket has been awarded to the former Mayor of Addu City, Abdulla Sodiq (Sobe).