The People’s National Congress (PNC) has appointed Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah to spearhead the party’s campaign for the upcoming Local Council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections scheduled for 28 March 2026.
The Elections Commission confirmed the election date earlier this week, announcing that candidate applications will open on 17 January. The polls will be the first to take place under the recently amended Decentralisation Act, which introduces notable changes to council composition and the allocation of women’s seats.
The amendment, passed by the People’s Majlis on 27 November, revises council sizes based on island population. Islands with fewer than 2,000 residents will elect three councillors, while those with larger populations will elect five. The new structure also mandates reserved seats for women — one in smaller councils and two in those electing five members. The proposal to reduce council sizes was submitted by MP Falah on behalf of the government.
Falah’s appointment as campaign manager comes as the ruling PNC looks to maintain its electoral momentum. The party previously secured a supermajority in Parliament and has recently claimed victories in several island by-elections, strengthening its political foothold across the country.
The 2026 local council elections are expected to serve as a key indicator of national support for the PNC ahead of the broader political landscape shaping up for the coming years.
