PNC presents presidential ticket to Pres. Muizzu

The People’s National Congress (PNC) has formally awarded its 2028 presidential ticket to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Friday night.

The presidential ticket was awarded to President Muizzu without the need for an internal primary election.

A resolution to bypass the party’s primary process and directly award the presidential ticket to President Muizzu was proposed during the PNC National Congress on Thursday. The resolution was unanimously approved by the 1,119 members present at the session through a show of hands.

Following the decision, the party formally presented the presidential ticket to President Muizzu during the closing ceremony of the Congress, held tonight at the Social Centre.

The ticket was presented to the President by the Parliament Speaker, PNC’s Chairperson Abdul Raheem Abdulla.

According to the resolution, the PNC’s basic charter provides that if a party member serving as President of the Republic expresses an interest in seeking a second term through the party’s Senate, the presidential ticket may be awarded without holding a primary election.

The resolution further stated that the ticket was being awarded in recognition of President Muizzu’s efforts towards national independence, economic stability, and social well-being since assuming office.

Although the decision to award the ticket without a primary has been finalized, no other PNC member has expressed an interest in contesting the 2028 presidential election, with other members instead voicing support for President Muizzu’s bid for a second term. During the opening session of the Congress last Tuesday night, PNC Chairperson Abdul Raheem Abdulla expressed confidence that President Muizzu would secure an easy victory in the 2028 presidential election.

The PNC is currently the largest political party in the Maldives. It was initially established as a “coalition” party within the PPM to facilitate the political activities of former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom. President Muizzu assumed office with Yameen’s endorsement after the former president was barred from contesting the election due to a prison sentence stemming from corruption charges.

However, within a week of the new administration taking office, relations between the two leaders deteriorated, prompting Yameen to leave the ruling coalition and establish his own political party. Yameen has since made serious allegations against President Muizzu and the current administration.

Former president Yameen has also announced his intention to contest the next presidential election.

In addition to Yameen, several senior figures from the main opposition party, the MDP, have indicated their interest in contesting the upcoming presidential election. They include former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, and former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail. Fayyaz is expected to enter the race with the backing of former president Mohamed Nasheed. Meanwhile, Dr. Ahmed Shamheed, the MDP’s South Hulhumalé MP, has also announced his intention to contest the party’s presidential primary.