Polls open in PPM-PNC primaries for Majlis elections

Polls have opened in the tightly contested primaries of the main ruling coalition, composed of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC), for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

71,597 of the coalition’s members from 73 different electoral districts are eligible to vote in the primaries.

Though polls were set to open at 10:00 am on Saturday, there were delays in opening polling in some of the ballot boxes at the Henveiru Football Stadium – designated for voters from other islands living in Male’.

PPM spokesperson Heena Waleed confirmed there were delays in opening polling in some of the ballot boxes “for various reasons.” She said the issues were later resolved.

Disturbances have also been reported from some of the polling station. Videos shared on social media show a physical tussle in Kalafaanu School, with the police intervening to separate disgruntled voters.

However, the police did not make any arrests.

Another video shows voters at the Henveiru Stadium unhappy over having to wait in long queues under the blazing sun.

Heena said that voting was “generally peaceful” with a few minor disturbances.

Polls are set to close at 05:00 pm.

Total 227 ballot boxes have been kept in islands across the Maldives.

In the capital, in addition to the Henveiru Stadium and the Kalaafaanu School, voting is also underway at Jamaluddin School, Thajuddin School in Male’ City, and the Youth Center in suburban Vilimale’, and the Kaamil Didi School and Rehendhi School in Hulhumale’.

The PPM-PNC has decided it will not contest for the seats of the leaders of its coalition partners; Maldivian Development Alliance (MDA)’s leader Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, Jumhoory Party’s leader Qasim Ibrahim, and Maldives National Party (MNP)’s leader Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim.

Meanwhile, 13 of the PPM-PNC coalition’s candidates have already secured tickets, either because they had run unopposed or because other candidates withdrew their name.

They are:

• Hoarafushi constituency: Ali Moosa
• Baarah constituency: Ibrahim Shujau, PNC deputy leader
• Hanimaadhoo constituency: Idhrees Abdulla
• Eydhafushi constituency: Ahmed Saleem, incumbent MP
• Mahibadhoo constituency: Ahmed Toriq, incumbent MP
• Nilandhoo constituency: Fathimath Saudha
• Thimarafushi constituency: Ibrahim Sanah
• Fonadhoo constituency: Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey), PNC chairperson
• Central Hithadhoo constituency: Ahmed Azan Marzooq, journalist
• Hulhudhoo constituency: Mohamed Shahid (Shaad), former MP
• South Galolhu constituency: Ibrahim Mohamed
• West Henveiru constituency: Ali Ibrahim
• Central Hulhumale’ constituency: Abdulla Shazeem

Earlier this week, the PPM-PNC had rejected the candidacy of some its members, citing various reasons, including creating strife and failure to sufficiently serve the coalition.

But the coalition reversed the decision following backlash.

The PPM-PNC primaries were also postponed twice. It was originally scheduled for December 23, but it was later postponed to January 20, and again, to January 27.