Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef has said that electing councillors from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) in the upcoming local council elections would make it easier for the government to deliver on the pledges made by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
He made the remarks while speaking at the opening of the Maafannu Hulhangu PNC campaign headquarters, where he highlighted the importance of cooperation between local councils and the central government to advance development initiatives in Malé City.
The Vice President said President Muizzu has placed strong emphasis on strengthening the country’s social fabric and ensuring peaceful, well-planned urban development. Referring to the President’s tenure as Mayor of Malé, Latheef noted that many of the city’s development plans were conceptualised and documented during that period.
He said effective implementation of those plans now depends heavily on the support of local councils, describing the city council as a key partner in advancing the government’s agenda. Latheef added that recent years have seen a decline in coordinated governance at the local level, stressing the need for change.
Addressing voters, the Vice President urged support for Moosa Ali Jaleel, the PNC’s mayoral candidate, as well as Aishath Alaika Adnan, who is contesting the presidency of the Women’s Development Committee (WDC) in Malé City. He also called on voters to back PNC candidates contesting council and WDC seats across the country.
Latheef highlighted road conditions as one of the most pressing challenges facing Malé, noting that flooding during rainfall continues to disrupt daily life. He said resolving these long-standing infrastructure issues would require close coordination between the city council and the central government.
Expressing confidence in the party’s candidates, the Vice President said their track records reflect a strong commitment to public service. He described Aishath Alaika Adnan as a dedicated advocate for women’s rights and praised Mariyam Abdulla, the PNC candidate contesting the Women’s Development Committee seat in Maafannu Hulhangu, citing her three decades of service in the public sector.
Concluding his remarks, Latheef cautioned against political divisions, saying that fostering anger and hostility within a small population only weakens social cohesion. He said President Muizzu has prioritised unity and social harmony, and argued that electing councillors who work constructively with the government is essential to achieving those goals.
Local council and Women’s Development Committee elections are scheduled to be held on 4 April.

