Voting Underway for PPM and PNC’s Parilamentary Primary Tickets

Voting has commenced for the primary phase aimed at selecting candidates to represent the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC)’s tickets in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

As of 10:00 am today, polling stations have opened their doors, welcoming voters until 05:00 pm.

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A total of 71,597 members from the coalition spread across 73 electoral districts are eligible to cast their votes in these primaries.

Across the Maldives, 227 ballot boxes have been distributed across various islands to facilitate the voting process.

In the capital, Male’, voting is currently ongoing at several locations including the Henveiru Football Stadium, Kalaafaanu School, Jamaluddin School, Thajuddin School, the Youth Center in suburban Vilimale’, as well as the Kaamil Didi School and Rehendhi School in Hulhumale’.

It’s worth noting that the PPM-PNC coalition has opted not to contest the leadership seats held by its coalition partners: Ahmed Siyam Mohamed of the Maldivian Development Alliance (MDA), Qasim Ibrahim of the Jumhoory Party, and Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim of the Maldives National Party (MNP).

Meanwhile, 13 candidates from the PPM-PNC coalition have already secured their tickets, either by running unopposed or due to the withdrawal of other candidates.

Earlier this week, the coalition faced criticism for rejecting the candidacy of some members, citing reasons such as fostering discord and failing to adequately serve the coalition’s interests. However, in response to the backlash, the coalition reversed its decision.

It’s worth mentioning that the PPM-PNC primaries have been subject to two postponements. Initially scheduled for December 23, they were subsequently rescheduled to January 20, and then to the current date of January 27.