People’s National Congress (PNC) Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Falah said that MDP members are avoiding contesting the upcoming local council elections under the party’s name and are instead running as individual candidates.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on MMTV’s Niulhemundhaa Khabaru programme, MP Falah said the MDP is aware that candidates contesting under the party’s name would not secure sufficient public support. He claimed that if the party were to contest candidates in the elections under its own banner, it would fail to secure even 50 seats nationwide.

According to MP Falah, the MDP is instead seeking to field candidates as independents in several islands, which he said reflects a lack of confidence in voter support for the party in the local council elections.

The PNC parliamentary group leader also alleged that some island councils currently administered by MDP members are offering temporary or contract-based employment to influence voters ahead of the polls. He claimed such actions prioritise short-term electoral gain over the long-term interests of island communities.

MP Falah said voters are able to distinguish between political parties and leadership approaches, adding that public support for development initiatives is closely associated with the ruling party. He expressed confidence that the PNC would secure a decisive victory in the upcoming elections.

The local council elections, along with elections for Women’s Development Committees, are scheduled to be held on 4, April 2026.