Errors by chair led to collapse of MDP interim leadership vote: Shahid
The meeting became disorderly, and the session was eventually halted, with party officials citing a breakdown in proceedings.
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MDP President Abdulla Shahid said on Sunday that the party’s National Assembly meeting on Friday night to appoint an interim chairperson was cancelled without a conclusive vote after procedural errors were made by Deputy Chairperson Ibrahim Waheed, who chaired the session.
Three names had been proposed for the interim chairperson position. However, only the name of former Dhidhdhoo MP Abdulla Waheed was put to a vote, and the counting process became disputed.
Members supporting Abdulla Waheed argued that he had secured enough votes, while others contested the result. The meeting became disorderly, and the session was eventually halted, with party officials citing a breakdown in proceedings.
On Sunday, Ibrahim Waheed submitted a report to Shahid detailing the events of the meeting and the vote count. Shahid responded in writing, and a copy of his letter was seen by Dhauru.
According to Shahid’s letter, the events of the night unfolded as follows:
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It was announced that 96 members were present, with 95 eligible to vote excluding the presiding officer
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Abdulla Waheed received 47 votes and was initially announced as interim chairperson
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Members then raised concerns that the vote did not meet the required simple majority or two-thirds threshold
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Following protest from several members, the presiding team announced that although Waheed received 47 votes, the result did not pass
Shahid wrote that the chair had acted “in two ways”, contributing to the disorder that followed. He noted that the chairperson adjourned the meeting once it became clear the session could not proceed.
Shahid added that he had received a letter from Abdulla Waheed stating that he was withdrawing from the position in the interest of party unity.
Shahid advised that a new National Assembly meeting should be held after proper arrangements are made to elect an interim chairperson.
“With the local council elections approaching, I request that no action be taken that would harm the internal interests of the party or create such opportunities for others,” he said in the letter.
According to the result sheet prepared and submitted by Deputy Chairperson Ibrahim Waheed:
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Abdulla Waheed received 48 votes
However, the result has not been formally announced due to dissatisfaction expressed by members over the vote-counting process.
