DRP ticket requires injecting at least 100 new members into party

Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) says members who wish to run in the upcoming Local Council Elections as the party’s candidates need to submit at least 100 membership forms.

DRP, led by Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir, opened application for members who wish to secure DRP tickets for the Local Council Elections last Saturday.

Those who wish to run in the Local Council Elections as DRP candidates need to meet the legal requirements, and also submit 100 membership forms.

#DRP ge ticket gai 2020vana aharuge Local Council inthihaab gai vaadhakurumah shauguverivaa faraaithakah efurusathu hulhuvaalumah Council in vanee ninmaafai. Ticket dhinumugai beleynee madhuvegen 100 aah memberunge form husha elhumaa eku qaanooni sharuthu furihamavun

— DRP (@drpmaldives) December 13, 2019

The 100 membership form requirement is believed to be part of the party’s efforts to boost its membership numbers.

DRP hopes to boost its membership numbers to 10,000 by the end of 2019.

Local Council Elections is scheduled to be held on April 4. Local political parties have begun preparing for the elections and announcing their candidacy policies.

Ruling party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is expected to hold primaries to select its candidates in January. It has announced that only members registered by end of 2019 will be eligible to run for the primaries.

Closest rivals, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and Jumhoory Party (JP) have also announced plans to hold primaries.

The Local Council Elections will see the Maldivian people elect 980 councilors for island councils, atoll councils and city councils. The recent legislative amendment to reserve one-third of council seats for women means 384 of the councilors will be women.