Over 6,000 people voted in today’s primary to select the ruling PNC’s candidates for next year’s local council elections.

PNC’s Council Election Manager Ibrahim Falah said that while 21,000 members were eligible to vote, the voting process ran smoothly across 46 ballot boxes. He noted that the voter turnout percentage is expected to be lower due to the absence of dedicated ballot boxes in Malé for atoll residents.

In this primary, 308 candidates competed across 94 constituencies, with 183 candidates running for council positions. The mayoral primary was held only for Addu City. The PNC, the Maldives’ largest party, has 68,665 members.

The local council elections are scheduled for April 4 next year.