MDP to hold chairmanship election after April council polls

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has decided to hold the election for its vacant chairmanship after the 4 April local council elections, citing the need to maintain focus on the ongoing campaign.

The chairmanship became vacant after former Economic Development Minister Fayyaz Ismail resigned from the position in November. Fayyaz is also a candidate for the party’s presidential ticket.

The MDP National Assembly met on Monday to appoint an interim chair and to determine the process and timing for the election of a permanent chair. Two motions were submitted on how the election should proceed.

Former Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Saleem proposed holding the council elections within seven days and the chairmanship election within one month. Fayyaz proposed that all matters related to the chairmanship election, including the timeline, be handled after the council elections without fixing a date in advance.

As two motions were on the floor, members held discussions and agreed to consult both Saleem and Fayyaz to reach a single proposal. Following further talks, Saleem proposed that the schedule for the chairmanship election be made public within seven days after the council elections.

Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa was elected interim chairman at Monday’s meeting.

The party continues to face internal disagreement over its presidential ticket. Fayyaz is the only publicly declared candidate. However, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and current MDP President Abdulla Shahid are also engaged in internal campaigning.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed, who left the party following disagreements during the last presidential election, has rejoined the MDP and is now working with Fayyaz’s team.