More Than 2,500 Apply as PNC Prepares Internal Elections in 130 Islands

The People’s National Congress (PNC) will hold internal elections across 130 islands after receiving more than 2,500 applications for party positions before the 30 June deadline, party spokesperson Mohamed Firzul Abdullah Haleel said.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Firzul said all applications were submitted through the party’s digital portal. He described the upcoming polls as highly competitive, noting that elections will only be held in constituencies and regions where the number of candidates exceeds the available positions.

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Despite this requirement, he said contests will take place in 130 islands nationwide.

The internal elections will cover constituency presidents, leadership positions in the party’s youth and women’s wings, standing committee members, and island steering committees. Islands with populations below 3,000 will elect seven-member steering committees, while those with larger populations will elect nine-member committees. In a press conference held on June 15, the party confirmed that the position of chairperson is not part of the current election process.

The party has compiled its voters’ register using the PNC membership list as of 15 June. The register will be published on the party’s website and shared with contesting candidates.

He said members will be able to submit complaints regarding the voters’ list through the party’s digital portal, with the portal serving as the central platform for managing the electoral process.

According to Firzul, members will be able to vote either in the island of their permanent address or in Malé. Voter re-registration has also opened for those wishing to change their polling location.

He explained that polling stations are based on the register used for the most recent local council elections. Members who previously voted in industrial islands or resorts will be listed under the Malé register unless they apply to re-register elsewhere.

Firzul said the party’s next focus is preparing for the elections, including distributing ballot papers and voters’ lists and training election officials across the 130 islands.

The PNC previously announced that its internal elections will be held on 11 July, ahead of the party’s Mathee Majlis, scheduled to take place between 15 and 18 September.

The party has said constituency presidents will be elected only in constituencies that do not have sitting PNC Members of Parliament. As the PNC currently holds 74 of the 93 seats in the People’s Majlis, only 20 constituency president positions will be contested during this election cycle.