Nasheed begins meetings with Meekail, MDP figures after election victory
During the meeting, Nasheed commended Meekail's efforts during the election and acknowledged the campaign he had conducted.
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Former President Mohamed Nasheed, who was elected chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in Friday's internal election, met on Sunday with Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, his main rival in the contest.
The meeting took place at MDP headquarters, where Nasheed spent the day holding discussions with party members and senior figures following the election.
Videos shared on social media by Shammoon Jaleel, commonly known as Lucas, showed Nasheed meeting Meekail and discussing the recently concluded campaign.
During the meeting, Nasheed commended Meekail's efforts during the election and acknowledged the campaign he had conducted.
"Very nicely done," Nasheed said, referring to Meekail's campaign.
Nasheed also remarked that Meekail had mounted a strong challenge during the contest.
Among the meetings held on Sunday, Nasheed first met former MDP chairperson and former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail, who played a leading role in his campaign.
He also met the MDP mayors representing four cities, including Malé City Mayor Adam Azim, who serves as President of the party's Malé Region.
Nasheed's meeting with Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar was conducted online.
The chairperson-elect also held talks with MDP President and former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.
In addition, Nasheed met members of the party's Legal Committee. During the briefing, discussions focused on legal matters relating to employees of state-owned enterprises who were reportedly dismissed or suspended after participating in the MDP chairperson campaign.
According to provisional results announced by the party, Nasheed won the election with more than 21,000 votes, accounting for 68 per cent of ballots cast.
Meekail secured about 9,400 votes, representing 30 per cent of the total vote.
The MDP said 31,129 members participated in the election out of approximately 49,000 registered members.
Nasheed is expected to formally assume the responsibilities of chairperson once the party releases the official final results.
