The People’s National Congress (PNC) has appointed Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah as the party’s campaign manager for the upcoming Local Council elections and women’s development committee elections. 

The Elections Commission has confirmed that both elections will take place on 28 March 2026, with candidate applications opening on 17 January. The upcoming polls will be held under the amended Decentralisation Act, which was passed by the People’s Majlis on 27 November and introduced significant changes to council composition.

Under the amendment, islands with a population of fewer than 2,000 residents will elect three councillors, while islands with populations above that threshold will elect five councillors. The revised structure also reserves one seat for women in councils with smaller populations and two seats for women in councils electing five members. MP Falah himself had submitted the proposal to reduce council sizes on behalf of the Government.

MP Falah’s appointment comes as the ruling PNC continues a strong electoral track record, having secured a super majority in the parliamentary elections and winning the majority of seats in several recent island by-elections. The party expects the upcoming local council vote to be a key test of its nationwide support ahead of the 2026 polls.