PNC: Party membership has reached 70,000

The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), on Wednesday, announced that its membership has surpassed 70,000.

According to the Elections Commission (EC) registry, the party had 67,579 registered members as of June.

A senior PNC official told Sun on Wednesday that the party is currently conducting a membership drive ahead of its congress, which has received considerable support. The official said the campaign has pushed the party’s total membership beyond the 70,000 mark.

The PNC Congress is scheduled to be held from December 15 to 18, with elections for the party’s leadership set to take place during the congress.

The Elections Commission’s registry currently lists the PNC as the Maldives’ largest political party by membership.

Although the PNC says its membership has reached 70,000, previous recruitment campaigns have drawn considerable criticism. Allegations emerged that some individuals had been registered as party members without their knowledge using information obtained from the National Identity Card Unit. Photos also circulated on social media purportedly showing party recruitment activities being conducted inside government offices. Home Minister Ali Ihusan came under significant criticism over the allegations.

Despite its reported membership numbers, the party failed to obtain a corresponding number of votes in the most recent public referendum.

Historically, the ruling party in the Maldives has consistently maintained the country’s largest membership registry. Such increases have often been accompanied by allegations that successive governments have used their influence to artificially expand party membership.