A total of 69 seats in the upcoming Local Council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections have been secured uncontested by the People’s National Congress (PNC).

The Elections Commission on Sunday published the list of candidates elected without a vote, following the close of nominations and the expiry of the withdrawal deadline.

Data released by the Commission shows that the PNC secured 28 Local Council seats and 41 Women’s Development Committee seats unopposed.

Among the council president positions won uncontested by the PNC are Haa Alifu Baarah, Alifu Alifu Himandhoo, Alifu Dhaalu Kun’burudhoo, Alifu Dhaalu Mandhoo, Haa Dhaalu Dhidhdhoo and Laamu Mundoo.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) secured six seats without contest, comprising one Local Council seat and five WDC seats.

The breakdown issued by the Elections Commission shows that 28 uncontested Local Council seats were secured by PNC, while MDP secured one seat. Independent candidates won three seats, and the Adhaalath Party secured one seat.

For WDCs, the PNC secured 41 uncontested seats, the MDP won five seats, independent candidates secured two seats, and the Adhaalath Party obtained one seat.

In the forthcoming elections, voters will elect 626 councillors to island councils and 52 councillors to city councils. The same number of representatives will be elected to Women’s Development Committees nationwide.

A total of 294,937 eligible voters are registered for the elections, which are scheduled to take place on April 4.