PNC begins four-day congress with more than 1,300 delegates

The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) opened its 2026 congress in Malé today, with more than 1,300 delegates attending the four-day event.

President and PNC President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, speaking at a ceremony at the Social Centre marking the start of elections for the party’s High Council, called on the party to prioritise the national interest, advance its values and contribute to shaping the country’s future.

“We will ensure that we set an example in taking the necessary steps to elevate the Maldivian political landscape from its current state to a more refined one,” Muizzu said.

The congress, which runs from September 15 to 18, includes voting on amendments to party regulations and elections for members of key party bodies.

Several PNC leadership and Members’ Council positions are being contested during the congress.

Eight candidates are contesting six vice-president positions, while 22 candidates are competing for 10 women’s seats and 13 candidates for seven youth seats on the Members’ Council. A further 73 candidates are contesting 18 general seats.

Eight candidates are contesting six vice-president positions. Five of the candidates, Ahmed Shiyam, Mohamed Saeed, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, Ibrahim Shujau and Mohamed Nimal, currently serve as PNC vice-presidents.

The other three candidates are Asma Rasheed, Abdulla Rafiu and Fathimath Saudha.

Several other party positions have been filled without a contest, after the number of candidates nominated matched the number of available seats.

Under Article 21 of the PNC constitution, the party is required to convene its High Council, or congress, once every five years.

The High Council comprises PNC members of Parliament, constituency presidents and vice presidents, ministers and officials appointed at ministerial rank, and presidents of island-level youth and women’s wings.

It also includes presidents of steering committees or members designated by those committees. The party president may designate additional non-elected members to the High Council in consultation with the parliamentary group.

The first day of the congress includes discussions on the party’s basic regulations and ministerial information sessions on national development, with proceedings scheduled to continue until 8:00pm.

The agenda for September 16 and 17 includes elections for vice presidents and High Council members, ministerial information sessions, youth and women’s events, swearing-in ceremonies for newly established positions, and the presentation of the party’s future vision.

The congress will conclude on September 18 with a communications session, the “Vilunoo Haveeru” (Blue Evening) social event, followed by the closing ceremony and a photo session scheduled for 8:00pm.