MDP: 389 candidates for LCE confirmed without primary

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced that 389 candidates were selected for the party tickets without a primary in the local council elections.

A total of 1279 candidates will be taking part in the party primaries to be held on January 31.

MDP’s Electoral Committee vice-chair and MP for North Henveiru Ibrahim Muizzu stated in a news conference today that voting will be held in 93 islands of the country. 1099 candidates are contesting for island councilors. 381 candidates are assured of the party ticket without a primary and 72 candidates for 18 atoll councils are also contesting. Muizzu also announced that candidates for the local council elections in five districts of Male’ city and one district of Fuvahmulah city were also guaranteed without a primary.

“Candidates for Male’ city’s North Henveiru, West Galolhu, West Maafannu, North West Maafannu, South Maafannu are already selected. The candidate for West Hulhangu has also been confirmed,” said Muizzu.

“Primaries will not be held for H.A and F. Atoll councils as well,” said Muizzu.

MDP’s Electoral Committee chair and Hulhumale’ MP Ali Niyaz noted that some districts remained free and MDP intended to issue candidates for these districts as well. He did not name the exact number of districts.

The total number of councilors to be elected in the local council elections in April is 980, out of which 384 seats are designated for women.

More than 93,000 voters will be eligible to take part in the party primaries and Niyaz noted that voter turnout would be high since it is an election that is very much connected to citizens.

“We expect a turnout of 70 percent. Since the local council elections are very much connected to members in islands, we expect the turnout to be good,” said Niyaz.