Ruling PPM/PNC Parliamentary Primary Begins

The primary voting for the PPM/PNC coalition candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections has started. Voting started at 10:00 am today, and will continue until 17:00 pm. All of the candidates in the primary are officially running as candidates from the party of the President, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, which is the People’s National Congress (PNC).

227 ballot boxes have been set up for the primaries in 73 constituencies.

Polling stations in the Malé area are at Kalaafaanu School, Jamaluddin School, Taajuddin School, Villimale Youth Centre, Kamil Didi School and Rehendi School. Special boxes for the atolls will be placed at Henveiru Stadium.

The PPM-PNC said 71,597 people will be able to vote in the 73 constituencies where the primaries are being be held.

A total of 283 candidates are contesting the election, as the ruling PNC coalition looks to contest all of the available parliamentary seats.

The current parliament was previously dominated by a majority held by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), however many of the parliament members belonging to that party have defected to The Democrats and PNC.

The ruling PNC now looks to claim their former spot, by contesting all constituencies in the parliamentary elections and gain their own super majority.