MDP proposes chairperson as party’s highest-ranking leader

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has proposed making its chairperson the party’s highest-ranking leader at all times, removing an existing provision that gives that position to the President of the Maldives when the party is in government.

The change is included in a draft of the MDP’s revised constitution published on the party’s website ahead of its congress, which begins on Thursday and continues until Saturday. The congress is scheduled to consider and vote on the proposed rules. The party has previously confirmed that its congress will run from 1 to 3 October.

One of the main proposed changes would prohibit the MDP chairperson from simultaneously holding any other state position that carries a salary. This would include serving as President of the Maldives.

Under the proposed structure, the chairperson would remain the highest-ranking official in the MDP regardless of whether the party is in government or opposition. The existing provision designating the President of the Maldives as the party’s highest leader when an MDP government is in office would be removed.

The draft also proposes abolishing the posts of party president and vice-president. Both positions currently exist in the MDP’s leadership structure, although they are vacant. The party’s website currently lists Mohamed Nasheed as chairperson and the president and vice-president posts as unassigned.

Another proposed change would expand the deputy chairperson structure. In addition to deputies responsible for finance and administration, the party would introduce a deputy chairperson responsible for political affairs. At least one of the deputy chairpersons would be required to be a woman.

The revised constitution also sets out responsibilities for the MDP’s presidential candidate and, if the party wins an election, an MDP President.

Under the proposal, the party’s presidential candidate would be required to enter into an agreement with the MDP committing to seek advice and consultation from the party’s National Council when forming a government and determining and implementing major policies.

The draft also proposes that when the MDP is in government, the party chairperson be appointed as a senior adviser to the President. The provision is intended to formalise the relationship between the party leadership and an MDP administration.

Many of the proposed changes were previously outlined as part of a roadmap announced while Fayyaz Ismail was MDP chairperson, aimed at restructuring the party.

The congress comes as the MDP prepares for a presidential primary. Former party president Abdulla Shahid resigned from his post in order to contest the primary, while former MP Hisaan Hussain, whom Shahid had appointed as vice-president, also resigned to join his campaign.

Fayyaz Ismail, Shahid and Hulhumalé South MP Dr Ahmed Shamheed have announced plans to contest the MDP presidential primary. Former Vice-President Faisal Naseem has also been holding consultations with former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih over a possible bid.