PNC Releases Primary Results But Excludes Contentious North Mahchangolhi Constituency

The People’s National Congress (PNC) has announced preliminary results of its primary elections for candidates contesting in the upcoming local council elections on the ruling party’s ticket. However, the North Mahchangolhi constituency results remain unpublished due to allegations of fake votes during the counting process. A total of 39,798 votes were cast in the primaries, with 1,758 declared invalid. Notable incumbents, including Male’ City’s South Mahchangolhi councilor Aishath Nazima and K. Gaafaru Council President Mubaashir Jaleel, lost their bids to contest on the PNC ticket. Meanwhile, Addu Meedhoo councilor Aminath Solih secured the nomination. PNC spokesperson Firuzul Abdulla Khaleel stated that the North Mahchangolhi incident is under investigation and the party will disclose voter numbers later. The PNC currently has 68,665 members and is the largest party in the Maldives.