PNC Sweeps Parliamentary Elections, Secures Over 60 Seats

The People’s National Congress (PNC) has emerged victorious in the parliamentary elections, securing a notable supermajority in the Maldivian Parliament by clinching over 60 seats.

With turnout of over 200,000 voters, the parliamentary elections held today witnessed 326 candidates vying for 93 seats in the upcoming parliamentary assembly, including six newly established seats.

The PNC, the main ruling party, fielded candidates for 90 seats, while other prominent contenders included 89 candidates from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), 39 candidates from the Democrats, 10 candidates from the Jumhoory Party (JP), four candidates from the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), four from the Adhaalath Party (AP), two from the Maldives National Party (MNP), and 130 independent candidates.

Initial reports indicate that the PNC has secured over 60 seats, representing approximately two-thirds of the total seats in Parliament. These figures exclude independent candidates who contested with the PNC’s support, as well as candidates from the MNP and MDA, both of which are allied with the ruling coalition.

This election outcome marks a significant shift from the 2019 elections, where the then-ruling MDP commanded a supermajority with 64 seats, while the opposition PPM-PNC coalition secured just eight seats. Similarly, in the 2014 elections, the then-ruling PPM emerged victorious with the majority.

Notably, the only instance in recent history where the ruling party failed to secure a majority was during the 2009 elections, which saw the Maldivian Democratic Party in that position.