PNC has most candidates, 665, for Local Council Election

The Elections Commission (EC) stated yesterday that the ruling party People's National Congress (PNC) has the most candidates for the Local Council Election, numbered at 665.

While being interviewed on state media Public Service Media's "Raajje Miadhu" program last night, EC Vice President Abdul Rahman Salah Rasheed said that the EC has publicized the information regarding the political party and independent candidates who submitted their names to run for the Local Council Election and the Women's Development Committee Election, along with the information of candidates who had received candidacy acceptance documents.

As per the EC, 2,994 candidates, both from political parties and independently, will be running for the Local Council Election and the Women's Development Committee Election.

Salah said that there are candidates from six political parties who will be running for the Local Council Election.

Salah said that there are candidates from five political parties who will be running for the Women's Development Committee Election.

While PNC has the most candidates who will run for the Local Council Election and the Women's Development Committee Election, it is the party with the highest number of general members. As per EC's party register, PNC has 74,408 members.

Salah said that changes to the number of candidates will only come about if the candidate themselves retract their name or if a case is submitted to a court and is told to accept the form if said form that was submitted to the commission is rejected.

Salah also said that if a candidate wants to withdraw, they will have the opportunity to do so before lots are drawn to determine candidate numbers. He said that the lot drawing process will begin next week.

There are 294,937 individuals who are eligible to vote in the Local Council Election and the Women's Development Committee Election.