News Desk
The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) has already won around seven per cent of the seats in the upcoming local council elections without a contest, the party’s campaign manager, Ibrahim Falaah, said yesterday.
Speaking at the launch of the PNC’s campaign event in Addu City ahead of the 4 April polls, Falaah said the party had secured an early advantage even before voting day.
A total of 681 councillors and 681 members of Women’s Development Committees (WDCs) will be elected nationwide. According to Falaah, 665 candidates are contesting for council seats and 658 for WDC positions.
“In this election, many seats have been won without a vote by the grace of Allah. Almost seven per cent of the seats have already been secured — seven per cent without an election,” he said.
Candidate nominations remain open until Thursday, and Falaah suggested the PNC could ultimately secure up to 10 per cent of all seats uncontested.
He criticised the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), claiming that many of its candidates were reluctant to continue with the party due to dissatisfaction with its policies and leadership.
Falaah also noted that no PNC mayor has been elected in Addu City in the 15 years since the introduction of local councils. He urged voters to elect PNC candidates across all cities and islands to accelerate development projects.
“If the PNC secures the strong majority we are asking for, the people will witness a level of development in the next five years that Addu has never seen before,” he said.
