Voting kicks off in heated MDP primary

Voting in main opposition MDP’s primary to elect candidates who will contest in April’s Local Council election in the party’s ticket has kicked off on Friday afternoon.

The voting in the primary contested by 154 candidates kicked off at 14:30pm on Friday afternoon. The voting is set to close at 20:00pm tonight.

The largest number of ballot boxes in capital Male’ has been placed in Maajedhiyya School, amounting to 18.

Other locations in Male’ where ballot boxes have been placed include Iskandar School, Hiriya School, Galolhu School. Meanwhile, the sole ballot box in Vilimale’ has been placed in Muheedheen School. The ballot box for central and south Hulhumale’ constituencies has been placed in Ghaazee School while the ballot box for north Hulhumale’ school has been placed at Kaamil Didi School.

The most anticipated race in Friday’s primary is the mayoral contest, where incumbent Mayor Adam Azim is competing against Ali Azim, former Central Henveiru MP.

Both candidates cast their vote once voting kicked off at 14:30pm.

Tensions between the two candidates have grown in recent weeks as internal party rifts become more apparent. Former president Mohamed Nasheed and his supporters have thrown their weight behind Ali Azim, while former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and his supporters are backing Adam Azim.

There have also been reports that party’s president Abdulla Shahid supports Ali Azim, though Shahid has denied these allegations publicly.

Speaking with Sun on Thursday night, the party’s Election Committee chairperson Mohamed Falah, citing all MDP primaries are highly competitive, expressed hopes that this primary would conclude peacefully.

Meanwhile, some candidates have secured MDP tickets without contesting the primary. Sun has been unsuccessful in its efforts to obtain these details.