Opportunity to run in PNC primary for council election ticket to begin tomorrow

The ruling People’s National Congress will open primaries tomorrow for candidates seeking its ticket in the upcoming Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections. 

PNC's leadership announced the primary during their press conference which was held this afternoon.

Inguraidhoo constituency MP and Parliament's majority leader Ibrahim Falah stated during the conference that the primary to choose a candidate for their party's ticket will commence tomorrow and will end on 15th December.

PNC members who want to participate in the primary can do so via an application on the party's website, said Falah. 

"We believe our election will go down as the biggest primary held in Maldives. A lot of members have expressed interest," stated Falah, who has been arranged to be PNC's Campaign Manager for the council election.

PNC's voting for the primary will take place on 27th December.

As per Falah, people can only cast their votes for the primary via the ballot boxes in their registered islands. Male' will not have ballot boxes specific to islands.

"This is to ensure accuracy and to ensure administrative procedures move forward as thoroughly as possible," said Falah.

Falah stated that those who do not participate in the primary will not receive a ticket. Everything regarding the primary will proceed in a fair and transparent manner, stated Falah.

The Elections Commission (EC) has begun work to spread awareness to the public regarding the Local Council Election and the WDC Election. Elections Commission teams are currently conducting awareness activities in 36 islands across 12 atolls.

The EC announced on 17th November that they are looking to hire more than 7,000 officials for both elections. The deadline to submit the form for officials is 21st December, 3:00pm.

Voting for the WDC Election will be held on 28th March 2026.