The People’s National Congress has secured the highest number of seats in the local council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections, according to final results gazetted by the Elections Commission of Maldives.

The results show that PNC won 581 seats, while the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party secured 562 seats, giving the ruling party a lead of 21 seats.

A total of 1,346 candidates were elected in the elections, with 168 independents also winning seats. Other parties recorded smaller gains, including the Maldives Development Alliance with 23 seats, the Adhaalath Party with six seats, and the Jumhooree Party with four seats, while the The Democrats secured two seats.

PNC also led in most categories, winning 75 council president seats compared to MDP’s 73. In council seats reserved for women, PNC secured 101 seats while MDP won 87. The party also won 99 general council seats against MDP’s 82.

In Women’s Development Committees, PNC secured 83 seats while MDP won 60, and in committee member positions, PNC obtained 214 seats compared to MDP’s 167.

The Elections Commission also confirmed that second-round voting will be held in some constituencies where results were tied, with the polling scheduled for Saturday.