More than 1,300 delegates from across the Maldives have gathered in Malé ahead of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) Congress, which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday.
The multi-day gathering will run until Friday and will see the ruling party elect members to several key leadership positions, including six vice presidents and members of its council.
PNC has described the gathering as the most comprehensive congress organised by a political party in Maldivian history.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who leads the PNC, has been meeting delegates arriving in the capital ahead of the opening of the Congress.
The President has held separate meetings with presidents of the party’s island steering committees as well as leaders of constituency-level women’s committees and youth movements.
Attention is also turning to the internal elections that will take place during the gathering, with the party releasing the final list of candidates seeking positions within its leadership.
One of the most closely watched contests will be for the six PNC vice president positions, with eight candidates competing for the seats.
The candidates include Sports Minister Abdulla Rafiu, Chief Presidential Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef, known as Mundhu, Central Maafannu MP Asma Rasheed, Nilandhoo MP Fathimath Saudha and Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau.
Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam, Local Government Authority Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Nimal and Economic Development Minister Mohamed Saeed are also contesting for vice president.
Several positions have already been decided without a vote after only one candidate applied.
Heena was elected uncontested as president of the PNC Women’s Movement, while Abaan was elected president of the party’s Youth Movement.
Aminath Hussain Shareef was elected vice president of the Women’s Movement, while Hassan Shaheed secured the vice presidency of the Youth Movement.
Aminath Naseeha was elected secretary of the Women’s Movement and Ismail Azmee secretary of the Youth Movement. Aminath Shizleen was elected treasurer of the Women’s Movement, while Mohamed Rifaau secured the equivalent position in the Youth Movement.
Competition is considerably heavier for seats on the party’s Council of Members.
Twenty-two candidates are contesting for 10 seats reserved for women, while 13 candidates have applied for seven youth seats. Another 73 candidates are competing for the 18 general seats on the council.
The Congress comes as PNC consolidates its position as the country’s largest political party.
According to figures announced by the party, its membership has now reached 78,505, following an extensive membership drive carried out under Muizzu’s leadership.
The party crossed the 70,000-member mark in August and has continued registering new members ahead of the Congress. The latest party figure is higher than the membership count currently reflected in the Elections Commission’s published registry, as newly submitted membership applications are subject to verification before being added to the official register.
PNC’s rapid expansion has accompanied its dominance in the People’s Majlis, where the party secured a supermajority following the 2024 parliamentary election.
The Congress will also provide the party with an opportunity to reshape its senior leadership as it enters the latter half of Muizzu’s current presidential term.
PNC held internal elections across more than 130 islands in July to fill thousands of positions within its party structure, forming part of preparations for the national Congress.
The leadership contests beginning this week will determine several of the figures who will occupy senior positions in the ruling party as it prepares for the next phase of its political agenda.
