The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) has announced plans to send party delegations across the country later this month as part of efforts to strengthen its grassroots network and prepare for the 2028 presidential election.
The announcement was made by Speaker of Parliament and PNC Chairman Abdul Raheem Abdulla during a press conference held by the party, where he outlined a series of activities leading up to the party’s upcoming congress and future electoral campaigns.
According to Abdul Raheem, delegations comprising Members of Parliament and senior party officials will begin visiting islands from June 24. The visits are aimed at engaging directly with party members, gathering feedback from local branches and encouraging participation in preparations for the party’s congress.
He said the outreach programme would also focus on strengthening the party’s organizational structure ahead of the next presidential election.
“We will meet our members, understand their concerns and prepare them for the congress. At the same time, efforts to organize and strengthen our teams for 2028 will move forward at full speed,” Abdul Raheem said.
The PNC has already scheduled constituency-level elections for next month, while its National Congress, the party’s highest decision-making body, is set to be held from September 15 to 18.
The congress is expected to play a key role in shaping the party’s future direction, with leadership positions due to be filled and discussions planned on the party’s vision and potential amendments to its constitution.
Addressing speculation about the party’s presidential candidate for 2028, Abdul Raheem noted that the PNC’s constitution contains provisions that automatically grant the party ticket to a sitting president seeking re-election after winning office on the party’s banner.
As a result, he said there would be no requirement for a separate presidential primary if President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu decides to seek a second term.
“Our regulations are structured in a way that the individual automatically receives the ticket,” he explained.
While the upcoming congress will focus primarily on internal elections and policy discussions, Abdul Raheem indicated that preparations for the next presidential race are already underway.
He described the congress as an important opportunity to energize party members and strengthen organizational capacity across the country.
The ruling party enters the next phase of its preparations following a series of recent electoral successes, including victories in local council and by-elections in several constituencies.
Political observers note that although the presidential election remains more than two years away, major parties have already begun positioning themselves for what is expected to be another highly competitive national contest.
Abdul Raheem concluded by stating that once the congress concludes, the party’s attention will increasingly shift toward securing a second term for President Muizzu.
He expressed confidence that the congress would provide renewed momentum for the party and help accelerate efforts already underway at the grassroots level.
With island visits, constituency elections and a national congress all scheduled in the coming months, the PNC appears to be laying the groundwork early as it looks ahead to the 2028 presidential race.
