MDP to disqualify anti-Solih rebels from parliamentary primary

Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) announced on Saturday that it will not allow members who worked against their defeated presidential candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, to contest the primary for the upcoming parliamentary election.

The MDP said this at a press conference held at its former office, H. Sharasha on Saturday.

"There are some people who are MDP members [working with other parties] without our knowledge. They have campaigned against our presidential candidate [Solih]. They will be disqualified [to contest the primary]," the MDP deputy chairman Ibrahim Waheed told reporters.

Ibrahim Waheed pointed out that it is not known why those who worked against Solih during the presidential campaign are still on the Election Commission's register. Even if they are on the register, such members will not be given the opportunity to contest the parliamentary primary, he said.

He said that as per the party constitution, no member can act against the party’s presidential candidate. He noted that the Constitution provides for the expulsion of such members from the party.

“We have not been able to resolve it administratively, so they are staying as members,” he said.

The MDP announced on Saturday that the party's parliamentary primary will be held on 26 and 27 next month. The primary is open from Saturday until the 25th of this month.

On the conditions for contesting the primary, Ibrahim Waheed said on Saturday:

Unlike before, the MDP is not open to contesting the primary this time. The rule was changed to give tickets to some constituencies without a primary.