Abdul Raheem to Contest in Upcoming Parliamentary Elections

Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey), the Special Advisor to the President and chairperson of People’s National Congress (PNC), declared his candidacy for the L. Fonadhoo parliamentary seat in the upcoming elections scheduled for next year, in a statement released on X last night.

Seeking the support of the constituency’s residents, Abdul Raheem aims to regain the seat he previously held during the last two parliamentary terms.

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Despite his candidacy in the recent elections, Abdul Raheem faced defeat to Moosa Siraj, then a candidate of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). Notably, Siraj later switched allegiance to PNC during September’s presidential election and assumed the role of parliamentary group leader within the party.

Abdul Raheem’s political journey includes a significant role in the formation of PNC’s coalition partner, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). 

However, in 2018, he parted ways with PPM to establish PNC, a move prompted by internal disagreements within PPM’s leadership, particularly between former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom and his brother, the party’s founder and former president, Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom.

Having been a key figure in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s election campaign, Abdul Raheem played a pivotal role during the transitional phase, serving as the Director of Transition. Upon assuming office, Muizzu appointed him as his special advisor.