Solih says MDP to win most seats as opposition in council elections

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said on Friday that the upcoming local council elections would be the election in which the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) secures the highest number of seats as an opposition party.

Solih made the remarks after voting in the MDP primary to select candidates for the local council elections scheduled for April. Responding to questions from journalists on the party’s prospects, he said the MDP remained confident despite challenges faced by the government.

He stated that while there were difficulties, the party expected to win the largest number of seats among opposition parties.

Solih also said that regardless of the outcome of the primary election, party unity was necessary to secure success in the council elections. He noted that divisions within the party had weakened its position and said it was important for party members and the leadership to work to avoid further fragmentation.

Addressing decentralisation, Solih said the government led by Mohamed Muizzu was not supportive of devolving power to local councils. He said this was a key reason voters should elect MDP candidates in the council elections.

According to Solih, the government has introduced changes that reduce the powers granted to councils under the decentralisation framework and shift authority back to the central government. He said the administration was unwilling to govern by transferring authority and that further work was required to restore powers to local communities.

Solih said development could still be achieved in the Maldives through decentralisation. He added that during recent visits to islands, he observed councils implementing projects using the powers and financial resources allocated to them under his administration.

Voting in the MDP primary began at 2:30 pm on Friday and is scheduled to conclude at 8:00 pm. Incumbent Malé Mayor Adam Azim and former parliamentarian Ali Azim are contesting the party’s candidacy for the position of Malé mayor.

Following the primary vote, Solih again called on party members to maintain unity. He and former President Mohamed Nasheed held an official meeting last month aimed at aligning their views after a period of internal differences within the party.