The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) has decided that the upcoming internal elections to select the party's leadership will not be conducted via secret ballot.
The decision to forgo a secret vote was made by the committee established to oversee the election process. This committee includes Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau and Nilandhoo MP Fathimath Saudha, both of whom are contesting for the positions of deputy leaders.
Other members of the committee include the party's Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Falah, Fuvahmulah South MP Ibrahim Hussain, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam, and Abdulla Mohamed (Boafan Abdulla).
It remains unclear whether Saudha and Shujau participated in the committee meeting where the decision to scrap the secret ballot was finalized.
President Mohamed Muizzu currently serves as the Leader and President of the PNC. According to the party’s charter, the President of the Maldives holds the position of Party Leader during a PNC administration. The upcoming election will focus on selecting the party's deputy leaders.
In addition to Shujau and Saudha, the candidates vying for deputy leadership include MP Asma Rasheed, her son and Presidential Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef, Sports Minister Abdulla Rafiu, and Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed.
The current deputy leaders of the PNC are Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, former Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon, Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam, Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed, MP Ibrahim Shujau, and LGA CEO Mohamed Nimal.
