MDP vote to select Speaker just hours away

Ruling party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is scheduled to hold its internal vote to select its candidate for Speaker of Parliament this Monday night.

There are two MDP candidates competing for the position of Speaker of Parliament; Vilufushi MP-elect Hassan Afeef and North Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Aslam.

A source from within MDP reports the party’s parliamentary group will convene for the vote to select its candidate for Speaker and Deputy Speaker inside Dharubaaruge at 9:30 pm this Monday.

Members of MDP’s parliamentary group have already been sent invites for the meeting.

The race to select the next Speaker of the Parliament has been a polarizing experience for the ruling party. Leader of MDP, President Mohamed Nasheed has announced his support for Mohamed Aslam, while Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced his support for Hassan Afeef.

MOHAMED ASLAM

• Member of parliament for North Hithadhoo constituency
• MDP’s parliamentary group leader
• Serving his fourth term as a member of parliament
• Close ally to Mohamed Nasheed, MDP’s leader and former Maldivian president
• Manager of the Jazeera Raajje campaign

HASSAN AFEEF

• Member of parliament-elect for Vilufushi constituency
• Served as member of parliament for Th. Atoll constituency from 1990-2009
• Served as Minister of Home Affairs during President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration
• One of the founding members of MDP
• Representative of the 16th Parliament at Judicial Service Commission