MDP says preparations are complete, hopes primary ends peacefully

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) says preparations are nearly complete for its primary to select candidates for the upcoming April 4 local council elections.

Speaking to Sun on Thursday evening, the party’s election committee chairman Mohamed Falah said 154 candidates will contest the primary, which will be held Friday from 14:30 to 20:00.

Polling stations in Male' will be set up at Majeedhiyya School, Iskandhar School, Hiriya School, and Galolhu Madharusa. In Vilimale', voting will take place at Muhyiddin School, while Ghaazee School will host voters from Hulhumale' Central and South, and Kamil Didi Primary School will serve Hulhumale' North.

Falah said ballot papers have already been dispatched to the islands and ballot boxes in the city have been prepared. He added that the boxes will be taken to polling stations on Friday morning.

“All our preparations, about 99 percent, are now complete,” he said, expressing hope that the primary would conclude peacefully.

The ruling PNC held its primary on January 27, announcing provisional results the following day. However, official results have yet to be published on the party’s website.

މި ޕާޓީގެ އިންތިޚާބާ ބެހޭ ކޮމިޓީގެ މުގައްރިރު @m_falaah: ޕްރައިމަރީއަށްފަހު، ހޮވޭ ކެންޑިޑޭޓުން ކާމިޔާބު ހޯދާނެ ކަމަށް އުންމީދު ކުރަން. pic.twitter.com/uDaSotF7Yo

— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) January 15, 2026

Asked whether MDP’s results would face similar delays, Falah said official results will be announced within two to three days of the provisional outcome.

The most closely watched contest in Friday’s primary is for the Mayoral ticket. Incumbent Mayor Adam Azim is facing off against Ali Azim, Member of Parliament for Central Henveiru.

The rivalry between the two has intensified in recent weeks, with internal party divisions surfacing. Former President Mohamed Nasheed and his allies are backing Ali Azim, while former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s associates are supporting Adam Azim.

There are also rumors that party president Abdullah Shahid is supporting Ali Azim, though Shahid has publicly denied the claim.

Meanwhile, some candidates have secured MDP tickets without contesting the primary. Sun attempted to obtain details but was unsuccessful.