The Local Government Authority (LGA) has declared the position of Vaavu Atoll Thinadhoo Council President vacant after its holder, Shujau Ali, changed his political party during his term in office.

Shujau was elected as President of the Thinadhoo Council on the ticket of The Democrats in the last local council elections. However, following the dissolution of the party due to insufficient membership, he later registered as a member of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on 19 May, triggering the provisions of the Decentralisation Act governing party switching by elected council members.

The Anti-Defection Act (Act No. 3/2024) requires a council member elected on the ticket of a political party to vacate their seat if they become a member of another party during their term. Based on the provision, the authority declared Shujau's seat vacant and resolved to notify the Elections Commission of the decision.

Prior to declaring the seat vacant, the LGA had instructed Shujau to temporarily hand over his responsibilities to the council's Vice President pending a decision by the authority. He was also directed not to carry out the duties of the office until the matter was determined.