Abdul Raheem says PNC internal elections successful
Abdul Raheem described the event as a milestone in the history of political parties in the Maldives.
The People’s National Congress (PNC) Chairman and Parliamentary Speaker, Abdul Raheem Abdullah, announced that the internal elections conducted by the party on Saturday were highly successful.
Speaking at a press conference held at the PNC headquarters, Abdul Raheem commended the smooth and organized manner in which the elections were carried out.
The elections took place today across 90 islands, including Malé, from 10 AM to 2 PM. Abdul Raheem described the event as a milestone in the history of political parties in the Maldives, emphasizing that no party in the country had previously organized such a strong and well-executed election.
"This election marks an important step in PNC’s journey towards independence and growth," Abdul Raheem stated.
He praised the efforts of the election committee, chaired by Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen, and the party leadership, for their dedication and hard work.
The Chairman expressed gratitude to all candidates and congratulated the winners, acknowledging that minor complaints and dissatisfaction are inevitable in any election. However, he highlighted that the overall process was smooth and without major disruptions.
Abdul Raheem provided details on the election’s timeline:
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The election committee is currently working on provisional results.
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Provisional results are expected to be announced tomorrow night, with the final results to follow on Tuesday.
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He expressed confidence that the newly elected candidates would strengthen the PNC further.
He added, "In the future, we will demonstrate to our competitors how political parties should operate and organize their activities."
Abdul Raheem took the opportunity to acknowledge the leadership of President Mohamed Muizzu, the PNC’s president, under whom the party has made remarkable progress. “The achievements made under his leadership, especially today’s election, are commendable,” he said.
Addressing the party’s direction, Abdul Raheem emphasized the PNC's independence and its aim to become the largest political party in the Maldives. He highlighted the party's growing influence, pointing out that the ruling coalition currently consists of 75 PNC MPs, as well as the President and Vice-President.
"Our goal is to secure a second term for President Muizzu under the PNC ticket," he asserted.
When asked about his absence from Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) activities, Abdul Raheem refrained from giving a direct answer. Instead, he reiterated PNC's focus on its growth and clarified that any decision regarding the potential dissolution of the PPM would rest with its Senate.
"The PPM constitution has been amended to facilitate dissolution if necessary. However, no official decision has been made," he said.
Abdul Raheem concluded by reaffirming the PNC’s commitment to becoming a leading political force in the Maldives. He expressed optimism about the party's future and the role of the newly elected representatives in shaping it.
