Kulhudhuffushi will back Nasheed in MDP chairperson race, says deputy mayor

Ahmed Abdulla said on Sunday that former President Mohamed Nasheed is expected to secure strong support in Kulhudhuffushi during the upcoming chairperson election of the Maldivian Democratic Party.

The election is scheduled for the 12th of next month.

Nasheed is contesting against Meekail Ahmed Naseem, the Member of Parliament for Galolhu South.

The chairperson race has drawn support from different factions within the MDP.

Nasheed is currently aligned with former MDP chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, while Meekail is backed by figures associated with former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and MDP President Abdulla Shahid.

Shahid has publicly stated that he will remain neutral in internal party elections.

Ahead of the vote, Ahmed Abdulla and Rilwan Mohamed publicly endorsed Nasheed through posts on Facebook.

In his statement, Ahmed Abdulla said the party and the country required change and argued that such a transition required experienced leadership.

“The best way forward for Kulhudhuffushi, the Bodu-Thiladhunmathi region, and the entire North is to support President Nasheed in this chairperson election,” he wrote.

He also said Nasheed was expected to secure a large margin in Kulhudhuffushi.

Rilwan expressed support for Nasheed by sharing part of Nasheed’s campaign song from the previous MDP presidential primary.

The position of Mohamed Athif on the election has not been publicly confirmed.

Ahmed Abdulla and Rilwan are regarded as close associates of the mayor and had previously supported Nasheed during the MDP presidential primary.

Both officials also briefly joined The Democrats after Nasheed left the MDP before later returning to the party ahead of the presidential election.

Among other local council leaders, Ali Nizar and Saud Ali have also declared support for Nasheed.

Meanwhile, Adam Azim has expressed support for Meekail, while Ismail Rafeeq has not announced his position on the contest.