MDP to elect Presidential candidate in primaries in May

National Council of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has passed a resolution to hold primaries, to elect a Presidential candidate. The primaries would be held in May this year.

MDP National Council’s 101st session was held today at Dharubaaruge Faashanaa Maalan, as an impromptu meeting. Former Chairperson of the party and Member of Parliament for Galolhu Uthuru Constituency Maaria Ahmed Didi proposed the resolution to hold presidential primaries in May. The resolution was seconded by MP Haamid Abdul Ghafoor, and the 64 members present in the session unanimously voted in favor of it.

National Council resolution stated that the current government led by Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik is a rebel government. “Whereas this Party perceives Rebel Waheed’s government as a usurper government which seized power from the Maldivian Democratic Party …”, read the resolution.

The resolution also stated that MDP still held Mohamed Nasheed to be the “de jure President of the Maldives”.

According to the resolution, a five-member committee to oversee the presidential primaries would be established today, and candidates for the primaries would be announced before the end of this month. The candidates would have a 2-month period for campaigning.

Most of the speakers of today’s session expressed their shared opinion that the party’s interests would be best served by a quickly held primary.

While Ali Waheed, MP for Thoddu Constituency, said that he would stand behind Nasheed in a presidential primary, Party’s Deputy President and MP for Feydhoo Constituency Alhan Fahmy said that he wishes to become President.