Youth and Sports Minister Abdulla Rafiu, Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu), Maafannu Central MP Asma Rasheed and Nilandhoo MP Fathimath Saudha have announced they will contest for the post of Vice-President of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC).

They join Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed and Baaah MP Ibrahim Shujau, who had previously announced their candidacies for the party's Vice-Presidential posts.

PNC has also decided to bring forward its congress, which had originally been scheduled for September.

Mundhu who is currently serving as a PNC Vice-President, announced his bid for re-election in a post on X. He said he was seeking another term to help secure President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's re-election to a second presidential term.

He said he was contesting as a candidate who had earned the confidence of party members at the PNC's first congress.

Rafiu, Asma and Saudha announced their candidacies on social media but did not provide details about their campaigns or priorities.

PNC has six Vice-President posts. One of the positions is reserved for the Vice-President of Maldives and is therefore automatically held by Vice-President Hussain Mohamed Latheef.