PNC Commence Nation-wide Internal Elections

The People’s National Congress (PNC) has commenced its internal elections to fill key leadership positions within the party, including the presidents and vice-presidents of its various constituencies.

Voting began at 10:00 p.m. and will continue until 2:00 p.m. today, with the election taking place across all the atolls of the Maldives.

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The ruling party said that ballot boxes will be placed in schools across the islands to facilitate voting. For the Male’ constituency, ballots are being cast at Dharubaaruge, while voters in the Hulhumale constituency will vote at Rehendhi School, and those in Vilimale constituency will vote at Muhiyiddin School.

The PNC’s internal elections were first announced on 11 September last year, and the deadline for nominations closed on 24 October. 

The party claims this is the largest-ever election organised by a political party in the Maldives, with 2,095 positions up for election. In addition to constituency presidents and vice-presidents, voters will also elect presidents for the rural youth and rural women’s movements and members of steering committees. The steering committees will be formed on each island, with the number of members varying based on population.

Islands with fewer than 3,000 residents will elect seven members, while islands with more than 3,000 residents will elect nine members.

The elections will shape the party’s leadership structure for the coming years. 

PNC is a relatively new political party, first formed as a coalition partner to the Progressive Party of Maldives. It has rapidly grown its membership since President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu was elected on a PNC ticket. Candidates from the party swept the parliament elections held in April this year.