Mohamed Alsan Ahmed, who was elected as an independent candidate in the Thinadhoo Dhekunu constituency for the 20th People's Majlis due to be sworn in on May 28, has joined the governing People's National Congress (PNC).
Alsan joined PNC on Thursday, PNC Spokesperson Heena Waleed said in a message sent to the media. He met with PNC's elected parliamentary group leaders after handing over the membership form to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
The meeting took place in Muleeage.
Photos shared by Heena showed Fonadhoo MP-elect Abdul Raheem Abdulla, who has been nominated for Speaker of Parliament, and Dhiggaru MP-elect Ahmed Nazim, nominated for Deputy Speaker, meeting with Alsan.
The number of MPs-elect in PNC's parliamentary group rises to 75 with the addition of Alsan.
PNC won 66 seats in the April 21 parliamentary elections but eight candidates who won as independents have since joined the party. They include candidates who had been endorsed by the government.
Moreover, Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim, Maldives National Party (MNP) leader Mohamed Nazim, Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) leader Ahmed Siyam Mohamed and MDA MP-elect for Velidhoo Mohamed Abbas are also working with the government.
The number of MPs who would vote in the government's line in the 20th Majlis has now risen to 79 out of 93, a bigger supermajority than the one won by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in the previous Parliament.
