People’s National Congress (PNC) parliamentary group leader and campaign manager Ibrahim Falah has said the party expects to secure about 10 per cent of council seats uncontested in the upcoming Local Council Elections.

Falah made the remarks while speaking at the launch of the PNC campaign in Addu City. He said the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is “playing defence” as the election approaches.

He said PNC has already secured about seven per cent of council seats uncontested and expressed confidence that the figure would rise to 10 per cent. “Support for the President is evident. God willing, we will reach 10 per cent of seats without an election,” he said.

Falah attributed the lack of contests in several constituencies to candidates’ reluctance to contest under the MDP banner. He claimed candidates believe they would not receive sufficient cooperation for island development even if elected on an MDP ticket.

Several council seats have already been secured by PNC without contests, including the council president seats of Alifu Dhaalu Dhidhdhoo and Mandhoo, Haa Alifu Baarah and Utheemu, two out of five councillor seats in Baa Eydhafushi, and a councillor seat in Raa Fainu.

Highest number of uncontested seats secured by the ruling party is in Thaa Vilufushi, where nine out of 10 island council seats have been won by PNC without an election.