PNC Leads MDP by 21 Seats in Latest Election Results

Latest results of this month’s local council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections show the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) leading the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) by 21 seats, with 584 seats, or 43.23 percent, compared with MDP’s 563 seats, or 41.67 percent.

Data released by the Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) today shows that PNC did not secure any of the five mayoral seats and won five of the 47 city council seats. An independent candidate claimed one seat, while MDP candidates won the other 41.

At the island level, PNC secured 75 Island Council President seats, narrowly ahead of MDP, which won 73. The party also led in Island Council member seats with 99, compared with MDP’s 82. Independent candidates secured 36 council member seats, while the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) won four, the Jumhooree Party (JP) one, and the Adhaalath Party (AP) two.

In the WDC elections, MDP performed strongly in urban areas, securing all city WDC presidential seats and 42 of the 47 committee member seats. PNC won four city WDC seats, while an independent candidate secured one.

In island constituencies, PNC led the WDC presidential race with 84 seats, ahead of MDP’s 60. The AP secured two seats, MDA four, and independent candidates 26.

However, in WDC committee member seats in the islands, MDP led with 167 seats, while PNC secured 216. The AP and JP won two seats each, MDA secured seven, and independent candidates won 51.

Both main parties have marked the results with celebrations, with MDP highlighting its performance in urban areas and PNC pointing to its overall nationwide lead.

An additional round of voting was also held yesterday in five constituencies to decide two island council seats and three WDC seats after candidates received equal votes in the initial round.

ECM held nationwide voting on 4 April for local councils, WDC elections, and a referendum on proposed changes to the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution. The referendum proposal sought to allow the President to determine the number of parliamentary seats, amend parliamentary terms, and align presidential and parliamentary elections.

In the referendum, 31.62 percent of voters (67,680) voted in favour, while 68.74 percent (148,859) voted against.