Voting has commenced in the primary election of the ruling coalition, which consists of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People's National Congress (PNC), in preparation for the upcoming parliamentary election.
The voting process commenced at 1000hrs and is scheduled to conclude at 1700hrs. The PPM/PNC coalition has witnessed a notable interest from 296 members across various constituencies contesting for the coalition's ticket. Currently, 13 candidates from the coalition have already secured their tickets, either uncontested or after the withdrawal of competing candidates. In addition, the coalition has decided not to contest the seats of its coalition partners' leaders.
A total of 227 polling stations have been set up for the primary. Ballot boxes for island constituents voting in Male’ City were placed at Henveiru Stadium. Ballot boxes for Male’ constituents were placed at Kalaafaanu School, Jamaluddeen School, Thaajuddeen School, Villimale' Youth Centre, Kamil Didi School and Rehendhi School.
A total of 71,597 members from 73 constituencies within the coalition are eligible to cast their votes in the primaries. Interim results will be announced near each polling station as soon as the voting concludes, and the coalition has committed to releasing the final results within a week.
The parliamentary election will be held on March 17. The Elections Commission of the Maldives will open the opportunity to submit candidacy forms from January 30.