The presidential ticket of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) can be awarded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu for a second term only after a vote is taken in the party's members' council.
PNC Chairperson and Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla told reporters on Saturday night that the party does not need to hold a primary to award the presidential ticket for Muizzu's re-election bid in 2028.
Referring to the party's constitution, Abdul Raheem claimed that "a candidate who wants to contest for a second term on the PNC ticket will get the ticket without a presidential primary."
PNC's constitution is very clear on the process for the presidential election.
It states that a party member who is the sitting President can submit his nomination to the members' council to run for a second term and the council must take a secret ballot to decide on awarding the ticket without a primary.
The members' council also has the authority to decide whether the PNC would contest in the presidential election. It is also the members' council that will decide whether a primary will be held or the ticket will be awarded without a primary if Muizzu decides to seek re-election in 2028. The council's approval must also be sought by the running mate.
If the PNC forms a coalition with another political party during the presidential election, the constitution does not prevent the PNC from awarding the presidential ticket to a member of another party.
The PNC has more than 100 members in its members' council. The assembly consists of the party president, chairperson, vice-presidents, unsuccessful contenders for Parliament, cabinet ministers, secretary general, registrar, treasurer and 38 ordinary members elected by the party's superior council.
