Members of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) obstructed police officers during a violent altercation last night at Kamil Didi School in Hulhumale', where voting for the party’s internal elections was taking place.
Videos circulating on social media show several PNC members interfering with police officers as they attempted to intervene and stop the violence, with some individuals seen physically assaulting the officers.
In response to the incident, the Maldives Police Service said they are investigating reports of individuals damaging school property and assaulting those present during the vote-counting process of a political party's internal election.
No arrests have been made so far in connection with the case. Journalists from Adhadhu who were on the scene observed that those involved in the unrest included candidates contesting the PNC internal elections and political appointees holding government positions.
The violence resulted in the glass doors at the entrance of the Kamil Didi School hall being shattered and damaged beyond use. Witnesses also reported that several chairs in the school were broken during the scuffle.
The ballot box in question was eventually counted in the presence of the PNC leadership. Information indicates that Malsha Shareef secured the position of Vice President for that constituency.
The PNC internal elections are held to elect over 2,500 members to various positions across constituencies and steering committees. A number of candidates have already been elected to certain positions unopposed.
