PNC sets September congress, internal elections scheduled for July
According to the timeline released by the party, internal elections to select constituency-level office bearers will be held before the congress.
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The ruling People's National Congress (PNC) has announced that its party congress will be held from 15 to 18 September, following a decision by the party's Senate to bring the event forward from its previously scheduled date in October.
The announcement was made on Monday during a press conference led by PNC Chairperson and Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla.
According to the timeline released by the party, internal elections to select constituency-level office bearers will be held before the congress.
Monday, 15 June, marked the deadline for voter and candidate eligibility. The party also opened a 30-day application period through its online portal for members seeking to contest internal positions.
The constituency leadership elections are scheduled for 11 July.
Under current party regulations, PNC members of Parliament automatically serve as constituency presidents in their respective constituencies. As a result, elections for constituency president will only be held in constituencies where there is no sitting PNC MP or where the position is otherwise vacant.
One such constituency is Diggaru, where former Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim was removed from his role as constituency president despite continuing to serve as a member of Parliament. The constituency will therefore elect a new president during the July polls.
The party congress, scheduled for September, will elect individuals to a range of senior party positions and determine the party's future direction.
However, elections will not be held for the posts of party president and chairperson.
Under the PNC constitution, the sitting President of the Maldives automatically serves as party president whenever the party forms the government. The position of party chairperson is appointed by the President while the party is in power.
As a result, neither position will be contested during the upcoming congress.
The September gathering will be the party's first congress since assuming office and is expected to bring together delegates from constituencies across the country following the completion of the internal election process.
