The People’s National Congress has opened applications for its primary to select a candidate for the Hithadhoo North constituency by-election, following a Supreme Court ruling that vacated the seat of sitting MP Mohamed Sinan.
In an announcement issued Tuesday, the party invited eligible members to apply for its ticket between April 14 and 6:00 PM on April 19, as it begins internal preparations ahead of the by-election scheduled for June 6, 2026 by the Elections Commission of Maldives.
The vacancy arose after the Supreme Court of the Maldives on April 12 declared Sinan disqualified from Parliament over failure to comply with a court-ordered debt repayment.
Court documents show that Sinan had obtained a loan of approximately MVR 3.8 million from the Maldives Islamic Bank. A lower court had ordered him to repay around MVR 2.5 million in instalments within six months. However, the Supreme Court found that he did not follow the repayment schedule, triggering constitutional disqualification despite any subsequent settlement.
Under Maldivian law, MPs must remain free of unresolved court-confirmed debts. Failure to comply with repayment orders results in automatic loss of eligibility to hold parliamentary office.
The PNC stated that if more than one eligible candidate applies, a primary election will be held on April 25 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If only one qualified applicant emerges, the party ticket will be awarded without a vote.
Voting in the primary will be limited to registered PNC members listed with the Elections Commission, including those who submitted membership applications before the April 13 deadline. Polling stations will be set up in Hithadhoo North and Malé, with further details to be announced if a contest is required.
The by-election is expected to draw heightened political attention, as parties position themselves to secure the strategically important Hithadhoo North seat following the high-profile court ruling.
