Protest at PNC’s office after rejection of candidacy for parliamentary primary

Main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC)’s decision to reject the candidacies filed by some party members for its parliamentary primary sparked a protest at the party’s office last night, with many voicing discontent.

PNC had originally scheduled the primaries for December 23, but it was later postponed to January 20, and again, to January 27.

On Sunday, some members who filed their candidacy were informed of the rejection of their candidacy via letters; signed by PNC’s Chairperson Abdul Raheem Abdulla. One letter accused a member of trying to create strife among the Progressive Congress coalition’s members in the wake of the 2023 presidential elections. Another letter said the member was ineligible to run as they had not sufficiently served the party.

The decision sparked a protest inside PNC’s office last night.

A video showing some members of the party voice out their discontent is presently viral on social media. Subsequently, order inside the party’s office ceased to exist. Members, presumably whose candidacies were rejected, argue in the video, claiming they have been on the streets for the past five years and that there will be a few people who worked as sincerely as them for the presidential election.

PNC has yet to comment on the matter. They have also not disclosed how many members’ candidacies have been rejected.

The parliamentary election slated for March 17^th will fall on Ramadan.