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Nimal, alongside President Muizzu, in Nimal's appointing ceremony which held previously - Photo: President Office

Local Government Authority CEO Mohamed Nimal has officially entered the race for the ruling PNC Vice Presidency, joining several senior government and parliamentary figures ahead of next month’s party congress.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Local Government Authority (LGA), Mohamed Nimal, has officially announced his decision to contest for a Vice President position in the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).

In a social media statement published on Facebook, Nimal declared his candidacy for a five-year term as PNC Vice President, appealing to party delegates for support at the upcoming national congress.

Reflecting on the party’s trajectory, Nimal highlighted his service as PNC Vice President during this ongoing term when the party functioned in opposition under the previous administration. He emphasized that the transition from an opposition group during its first congress to the ruling party at its second congress represents the hard work of all members.

Nimal stated that his primary political goal remains supporting President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s reform agenda and unifying PNC members to ensure a successful re-election campaign in the 2028 presidential election.

Candidate Profile and PNC Internal Election Context

• Key Candidate: Mohamed Nimal (CEO of the Local Government Authority).

• Target Position: PNC Vice President (5-year term).

• Upcoming PNC National Congress: Scheduled to take place from September 15 to 18, 2026.

• Total Vice President Posts: 7 total positions – including 6 elective positions in Congress and the remaining 1 post automatically reserved for Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, while PNC is the ruling party.

Prominent PNC Vice Presidential Candidates

Alongside LGA CEO Mohamed Nimal, several key government ministers and senior lawmakers are competing for the remaining elective Vice President seats:

• Abdulla Rafiu – Minister of Youth, Sports, and

• Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundu) – Government spokesperson

• Mohamed Saeed – Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade

• Asma Rasheed – MP for Mid-Maafannu Constituency

• Fathimath Sauda – MP for Nilandhoo Constituency

• Ibrahim Shujaau – MP for Baarah Constituency

• Ahmed Shiyam – Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture, and Ocean Resources

Notably, candidate Fathimath Sauda is the sister of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, while fellow candidates Asma Rasheed and Mohamed Hussain Shareef are mother and son.

Ghassan Maumoon’s Omission: Meanwhile, incumbent PNC Vice President Mohamed Ghassan Maumoon appears not to be contesting for the leadership post following his recent resignation as Minister of Defence. The departure came amid a major cabinet reshuffle after local council elections, where the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) achieved significant victories. Ghassan’s uncle, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, currently leads the People’s National Front (PNF), which stands as the country’s second major opposition force.