State power fails to deliver as PNC misses Local Council and WDC contest targets
EC has announced that the draw to determine the order of candidates on the ballot papers is scheduled to take place on February 12 or 13. Candidates will be permitted to withdraw their nominations prior to the draw.
Training program for officials participating in the 2026 Local Council Elections and Women's Development Committee Elections | Elections Commission | Elections Commission
Information released by the Elections Commission ( EC) has indicated that the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) has failed to field candidates for all available seats in the upcoming local council elections, despite holding executive power and wielding significant political influence.
Out of a total of 678 council seats up for election, PNC was able to contest only 665 seats. A similar shortfall is evident in the Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections, where 678 members are to be elected, yet PNC is contesting just 665 seats.
This outcome is particularly notable given that, well before the official announcement of the local council and WDC elections, senior government delegations were reportedly dispatched to islands across the country in an effort to identify, recruit and secure candidates.
According to EC, the local council and WDC elections scheduled for April will see 1,210 candidates from six political parties competing alongside 401 independent candidates. The combined total number of candidates contesting both elections stands at 2,993.
Speaking to PSM on Monday, EC Vice President Abdul Rahman Salah Rasheed stated that 1,611 applications for the council elections have been accepted after meeting the required eligibility criteria.
Of the 678 council seats, PNC is contesting 665, while the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has fielded 495 candidates. In addition to the 401 independent candidates, several smaller parties are also participating. Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) is contesting 31 seats, the Jumhooree Party (JP) has fielded eight candidates, The Democrats are contesting eight seats, and the Adhaalath Party (AP) has put forward three candidates.
In the WDC elections, where 678 members are to be elected, EC received 1,611 applications, of which 1,383 have been accepted. Among the approved candidates, 1,116 are representing five political parties.
For the WDC elections, PNC has fielded 658 candidates, while MDP is contesting 417 seats. Independent candidates make up the next largest group, with 267 individuals. Other parties participating include MDA with 28 candidates, The Democrats with eight candidates, the Jumhooree Party with seven candidates, and the Adhaalath Party with six candidates.
EC has further announced that the draw to determine the order of candidates on the ballot papers is scheduled to take place on February 12 or 13. Candidates will be permitted to withdraw their nominations prior to the draw.
