Laamu Atoll has emerged as the atoll with the strongest support for the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), securing the highest number of seats nationwide in the Local Council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections, preliminary results show.

Out of a total of 75 seats contested in the atoll, PNC candidates won 47 seats.

These include five council president positions, seven council member seats, eight seats reserved for women in councils, five WDC chairperson positions, and 22 WDC member seats.

Fonadhoo, the administrative capital of the atoll, delivered a complete victory to PNC, with the party securing all 10 seats, including five council seats and five WDC seats.

PNC candidate Ahmed Riyaz was elected as President of the Fonadhoo Council. Council member positions were won by Ahmed Mamdhooh, Abdul Rauf Yoosuf, Warudha Hussain, and Aishath Azeema.

For the WDC, Aishath Risma was elected as President. The member positions were secured by Aminath Rafia, Shakeela Ali, Aishath Zoona, and Malaka Moosa.

PNC also secured council president positions in Maavah and Isdhoo.

Laamu Atoll has a population of approximately 12,600 people.

Meanwhile, PNC also secured a high number of seats in Baa and Raa atolls, winning a combined total of 43 seats across the two atolls.