Ahmed Rilwan Rasheed, who was elected on the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) ticket to the Medhu Henveiru constituency's seat in the January 13 Male' city council by-elections, has joined the ruling People's National Congress (PNC).
He signed for the PNC ahead of last night's swearing-in ceremony for the new mayor and three new members elected to the council.
PNC Registrar Afu Hamid announced the move in a post on X with a photo of Rilwan handing over his PNC membership form to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who is also the PNC president.
Four city council seats including the mayor's post were left vacant when council members left to take up posts in President Muizzu's government. President Muizzu had been the mayor for the past two years.
The opposition MDP won the Medhu Henveiru seat and the mayoral seat in the by-election. PNC won the Henveiru Dhekunu and Maafannu Dhekunu constituencies.
Male' city council by-election results
- Henveiru Dhekunu - Aminath Ahmed Rishfa (PNC)
- Medhu Henveiru - Ahmed Rilwan Rasheed (MDP)
- Maafannu Dhekunu - Hassan Nizam (PNC)
- Mayor - Adam Azim (MDP)
Of the 19 members including the mayor on the city council, 13 councillors including Rilwan are now members of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) coalition. Despite an opposition mayor, the ruling PNC has a supermajority.
Rilwan has not revealed his reasons for joining the PNC.
After several MDP MPs signed for the PNC, some MPs accused them of taking bribes to switch parties.
