People’s National Congress (PNC) has publicized the preliminary results of primary held to elect candidates who will contest in the upcoming local council elections on the ruling party’s ticket except for the North Mahchangolhi constituency where vote counting was halted following allegations of fake votes.
According to the preliminary results, a total of 39,798 votes were casted during PNC’s primary, of which 1,758 were declared invalid.
The preliminary results suggest that some of the incumbent councilors currently elected to councils on PNC’s ticket have lost the opportunity to contest the upcoming election on the party’s ticket. This includes Male’ City’s South Mahchangolhi councilor Aishath Nazima, HA. Baarah councilor Ali Shameem, HA. Filladhoo councilor Mohamed Moosa.
It also includes K. Gaafaru Council President Mubaashir Jaleel.
Meanwhile, incumbent Addu City’s Meedhoo councilor Aminath Solih secured PNC’s ticket for the presidency of Addu Meedhoo Council which will be formed next year following the referendum in October where Meedhoo decided to breakaway from Addu City Council.
When questioned regarding the North Mahchangolhi constituency ballot box during the primary, PNC’s local council election campaign’s spokesperson Firuzul Abdulla Khaleel said the incident is under investigation by the party, adding it will decided on a course of action following the investigation.
He added that the party will disclose the total number of voters in the election at a later time amidst fake vote allegations.
The primary was held on Saturday.
According to PNC’s local council election campaign manager and parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Falaah, the primary was “very peaceful” from start to end. He confirmed that more than 50 percent of eligible voters cast their vote.
183 out of 308 candidates who contested in the primary contested for council seats, while 121 candidates ran for Women’s Development Committee (WDC) seats.
The mayoral primary was held only for the Addu City ticket, which was contested by Dr. Ahmed Adeel Naseer and Mushrif Ali. After Adeel withdrew, Mushrif secured the ticket.
 
The PNC currently has 68,665 members, making it the largest party in the Maldives. Falah said the membership count will soon reach 73,000.