Ruling PNC plans membership drive to become largest party in country

Ruling People's National Congress (PNC) has begun a membership drive in efforts to raise membership numbers and become the largest political party in the country.

At present, PNC ranks third on the Elections Commission's list of parties per member numbers. The party gained third rank within a short time since it won the last presidential elections.

Elections Commission currently has 11 political parties on its register. Currently, opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) tops the list with 50,980 registered members.

Second on the list is PNC's coalition partner, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) with 34,827 members.

PNC is in third rank and has 28,704 members at present.

PNC Secretary General Zeenaz Adnan said that the membership drive had been commenced countrywide this month.

"Our target is to become the largest political party in Maldives. That is what we are working towards," she said.

PNC teams are working in 12 areas of Maldives in Male' and the atolls, with over 100 members walking door to door and filling forms for those interested in joining.

Zeenaz said that the opportunity is also open to members of other political parties, including PPM, who wish to change membership to PNC.

Although PPM/PNC were in a coalition, April's parliamentary election saw members contesting through PNC tickets alone, going on to win a supermajority in the 20th Parliament.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Leader of PNC, has also earlier claimed that PNC will become the largest political party in the Maldives by the end of this year.