5 candidates seek PNC vice president posts

Five members of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) have declared their interest in contesting for the party's Vice President positions at its congress scheduled for September.

The candidates are Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts Abdulla Rafiu, Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau, Chief Spokesperson at the President's Office Mohamed Hussain Shareef and Nilandhoo MP Fathimath Saudha.

Of the five candidates, Mohamed Saeed, Ibrahim Shujau and Mohamed Hussain Shareef currently serve as Vice Presidents of the party.

Explaining his decision to seek another term, Saeed said he intends to continue strengthening the PNC as a political party.

He also said he had served the party with commitment during both its time in government and while in opposition.

Shujau said he was seeking re-election based on his record within the party.

He said he remained with the party after the end of the previous Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) administration, when many senior members left, and played a leading role while the PNC was in opposition.

Shujau also said he had consistently placed the interests of the party ahead of personal ambition and maintained close contact with party members.

The PNC's Vice Presidents will be elected by the party's Senate during the September congress.

The congress will elect members to the party's leadership positions, with the exception of the President and Chairperson.

Under the PNC constitution, the serving President of the Maldives automatically becomes the party's President while the party is in government. The party's Chairperson is appointed by the President, meaning neither position will be contested at the upcoming congress.