Nimal, Asma lose PNC vice-president posts as Rafiu tops poll
Shiyam, Shujau, Saeed and Shareef were already serving as PNC vice-presidents.
Top Stories
Youth Minister Abdulla Rafiu received the highest number of votes as the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) elected six vice-presidents on Wednesday, while incumbent vice-president and Local Government Authority (LGA) chief executive Mohamed Nimal and Central Maafannu MP Asma Rasheed failed to secure seats.
Eight candidates contested the six vice-president positions at the PNC Congress, which began at the Social Centre in Malé on Tuesday with more than 1,300 delegates. The election of the vice-presidents was held during Wednesday morning’s session.
Voting was conducted digitally through a portal established by the PNC for the election. The results were announced by former Elections Commission President and Maldives Ambassador-designate to Thailand Fuad Thaufeeq.
Rafiu topped the poll with 968 votes, or 88 per cent of votes cast. Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam, an incumbent PNC vice-president, came second with 964 votes, also representing 88 per cent.
Nilandhoo MP Fathimath Saudha received 923 votes, or 84 per cent, placing third. Saudha, who entered national politics in the 2024 parliamentary election, is President Mohamed Muizzu’s sister.
Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau was elected with 862 votes, or 79 per cent, while Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed received 833 votes, or 76 per cent.
Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef secured the final vice-president position with 780 votes, or 71 per cent.
Shiyam, Shujau, Saeed and Shareef were already serving as PNC vice-presidents. Rafiu and Saudha were elected to PNC leadership positions for the first time.
Nimal, who was also an incumbent vice-president, received 301 votes, or 27 per cent, and failed to retain his position. Asma received 288 votes, or 26 per cent.
The eight candidates contesting the six positions were Rafiu, Shiyam, Saudha, Shujau, Saeed, Shareef, Nimal and Asma.
There were 1,109 eligible voters present in the hall when voting took place. A total of 1,095 people participated in the election, while 14 did not vote.
The PNC Congress is being held from 15 to 18 September, with elections for other party positions and discussions on the party’s organisation and policies also included in the four-day programme.
