If a secret ballot had been cast, President Muizzu would not have secured the PNC presidential ticket: Ahmed Haleem
18 ސެޕްޓެމްބަރު 2026 | ހުކުރު 09:18Former Bilehdhoo MP Ahmed Haleem has claimed that the vote to award President Muizzu the PNC presidential ticket was conducted in violation of democratic principles. Haleem asserted that the President would not have secured the ticket had a secret ballot been held, further noting that several members of the party's leadership are also in favor of changing the candidate.
Former Bilehdhoo MP Ahmed Haleem on RaajjeTV's "Fala Surukhee" program. | raajjemv
Former Member of Parliament for the Bilehdhoo constituency, Ahmed Haleem, has stated that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu would not have secured the People’s National Congress (PNC) presidential ticket had the vote been conducted by secret ballot.
Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fala Surukhee" program, Haleem stated that the People’s National Congress (PNC) is currently exhibiting highly authoritarian behavior. He noted that this approach is evident in their ongoing membership recruitment efforts, a situation he claims is now clear to the Maldivian public.
Noting that the resolution to grant President Muizzu the presidential ticket without a primary was passed by a show of hands among congress participants, Haleem stated that if a secret ballot had been held, it would have revealed many within the party who do not wish to grant him the candidacy.
"I do not believe Muizzu would have secured the candidacy had an internal secret ballot been conducted. I have personally met with numerous general members and leadership figures within the PNC who share the conviction that Muizzu will not return to power in 2028. Consequently, there is a clear desire within their own ranks to change their candidate."Ahmed Haleem
Haleem stated that even after the voting on the resolution had concluded at the PNC Congress, many members remained with their hands raised out of fear for their jobs. He explained that this was because photos and videos were being taken during the session, and members were concerned that they might be captured in a frame with their hands lowered.
Furthermore, Haleem expressed his surprise that a vote was even conducted, stating that it would have been preferable to proceed without one.
During the PNC Congress held on Thursday, a resolution was unanimously passed by all 1,119 participating members to award the party’s 2028 presidential ticket to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu without a primary.
