PNC charter on EC website 'suddenly' updated to allow open voting at congress

The Elections Commission (EC) on Monday updated the People's National Congress (PNC) charter published on its website, replacing the previous version with one that allows open voting for positions elected at the party's congress.

The update follows reports that the committee organising the PNC congress had decided to elect party office-bearers by a show of hands.

In a statement issued late Sunday, the PNC said the decision to hold an open vote for elected positions, including the party's Vice Presidents, is in line with its constitution.

However, the version of the party constitution available on the EC website until Monday morning required leadership elections to be conducted by secret ballot. Archived versions of the website show that this provision remained in place as recently as 22 April.

Responding to questions on Monday, EC member and spokesperson Hassan Zakariya said the PNC had amended its constitution last year and that the changes had been approved by the commission.

He said the party had submitted further amendments after that, but the version available through the political parties registry on the EC website had not been updated due to an oversight.

"After the constitution was uploaded to the EC website, amendments were made two or three times. The latest version was submitted in May 2025 and approved by the commission. However, the website was not updated due to a lack of attention," Hassan said.

According to Hassan, the version uploaded on Monday indicates that the revised constitution was submitted by the PNC on 15 May 2025.

He also noted that commission records published on the EC website show the amendments were formally approved on 28 May 2025.

Under the PNC constitution, six Vice Presidents are to be elected at the party's congress. With seven candidates having announced their intention to contest, a vote will be required.

The declared candidates are:

Among the incumbent Vice Presidents, Shiyam, Saeed, Shujau and Mohamed Hussain Shareef are seeking re-election.

The remaining Vice Presidents are Local Government Authority Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Nimal and Minister of Defence Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon. Neither has announced whether they will contest.

The PNC congress, scheduled for next month, will elect members to the party's senior leadership positions, with the exception of the President and Chairperson.

Under the party constitution, the serving President of the Republic automatically serves as PNC President while the party is in government, while the Party Chairperson is appointed by the President.