MP-elect for Nolhivaram constituency, Mohamed Rasheed has signed with the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).

He signed onto PNC after securing the seat for Nolhivaram constituency for the 20th tenure of the People’s Majlis, during the polls held on April 21. He vied for the seat as an independent candidate.

In a post on social media platform ‘X’, PNC confirmed that MP-elect Rasheed has signed with them.

Mohamed Rasheed is the seventh independent candidate that secured seats in Sunday’s parliamentary elections, to have joined the main ruling party. Six others joined PNC earlier on Wednesday.

The other elected parliamentarians that signed with PNC include Dr. Anara Naeem who won the seat for Huraa constituency, Hassan Zareer who won the seat for Mathiveri constituency, Ahmed Zameer who won the seat for Central Mahchangoalhi constituency, Ahmed Riyaz who won the seat for Thimarafushi constituency, Yaaseen Abdulla who won the seat for Naifaru constituency and Azim Abdul Azeez who won the seat for Villingili constituency.

Rasheed secured the seat after competing with four other candidates. He led the votes with 30.65 percent, which makes up 722 votes in his favor.

Current MP for Nolhivaram constituency, Mohamed Nasheed Abdulla secured 426 votes in his favor, in the previous elections.

The candidate who vied for the seat via a PNC ticket, Ahmed Ashraf secured 653 votes in his favor.

Former ruling and now main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s candidate Ali Abdul Rahman won 369 votes and Jumhooree Party (JP) candidate Hussain Shahudhee fell short with 186 votes.

The main ruling party will be able to field a supermajority of candidates in the upcoming parliament tenure.

The new parliamentarians will be sworn in on May 28.