MDP congress postponed to Oct 1-3 over venue delays

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has postponed its congress, originally scheduled for September 19, to October 1–3 after delays in securing a venue.

The party’s National Council had initially decided on August 2 to hold the congress on September 19. However, after difficulties in finding a venue, the council approved on September 1 a proposal allowing the party secretariat to determine a new date.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, MDP Deputy Chairperson for Finance Mohamed Shifaz said the party had now decided to hold the congress from October 1 to 3.

The opening ceremony will be held at 9pm on October 1, while the congress itself will take place at the Malé City Council hall.

Shifaz said the congress would consider amendments to the party’s constitution and would also include a forum aimed at finding investors for projects proposed by MDP councils.

He said the party had previously held congresses outside Malé when venues were unavailable in the capital.

“We want to tell the government not to think that we will run out of options,” Shifaz said. “We are a party that has previously held a congress on another island when a venue was not made available in Malé.”

MDP Deputy Chairperson for Administration Ibrahim Waheed said the party had initially sought to hold the congress at the Social Centre. When that was not available, the party also explored Henveiru Stadium and Hulhumalé Central Park.

Waheed said the government had not provided assistance in securing a venue.

He said party officials had also met Elections Commission President Mohamed Shakeel and sought assistance in finding a venue for a congress that political parties are required to hold under the Political Parties Act, but no support was provided.

Among the constitutional changes being prepared for consideration at the congress is a proposal that would prevent an MDP chairperson from contesting a presidential primary during the chairperson’s term, even if the officeholder resigns from the post.

The party is also considering bringing forward its presidential primary to next year.

The congress comes as competition for the MDP presidential ticket intensifies.

Former MDP president Abdulla Shahid and former party chairperson Fayyaz Ismail have so far announced their intention to contest the presidential primary.

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has also decided to contest, although he has yet to make a formal announcement.