News DeskIn a notable turn of events, the government has thrown its weight behind select candidates who contested independently and emerged victorious, while withholding support for certain candidates who won the People’s National Congress (PNC) primary.
Six independently elected members made a significant move by affiliating themselves with the PNC yesterday, bolstering the party’s representation in Parliament. Among them are:
- Dr. Anara Naeem – Hura Constituency
- Hassan Zareer – Mathivari Constituency
- Ahmed Zameer – Mahchangoalhi Central Constituency
- Ahmed Riaz – Thimarafushi Constituency
- Yasin Abdullah – Naifaru Constituency
- Azeem Abdul Aziz – Villingili Constituency
With these additions, the total count of PNC members in Parliament rises to 72, with 66 securing seats on the PNC ticket.
Additionally, the government has found support from other pro-government members elected from various party tickets:
- Colonel Mohammed Nazim, elected on the MNP ticket
- Ahmed Siam Mohammed, securing the fifth term on the MDA ticket
- Mohammed Abbas, elected on the MNP ticket
It’s worth noting that among the newly aligned PNC members are individuals who contested independently with government backing after failing to secure the PNC primary. Dr. Anara Naeem and Hassan Zareer fall into this category, having received government support after their primary defeats.
Ahmed Riaz’s journey also mirrors this trend, having initially contested as an independent candidate. Remarkably, the government threw its support behind Riaz instead of Ibrahim Sanah (Santo), the initial PNC primary winner for the Thimarafushi Constituency.
The strategic realignment of elected members underscores the dynamic interplay between party affiliations and government support, shaping the landscape of parliamentary representation in the Maldives.
