MDP: Date for primary will be announced upon completion of administrative works

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), on Sunday, stated that a date for the party’s primary to select a candidate that will represent the ruling party in next year’s presidential election can only be announced once all administrative work entailed is completed.

In mid-August this year, MDP stated that the party’s primary for next year’s presidential election will be held very soon.

Despite this, they have failed to announce a date for the primary to date.

Via a tweet on Sunday, MDP’s Spokesperson Anas Abdul Sattar said that a date for the party’s primary can only be announced once all administrative work which entails is completed.

In an earlier statement, the party’s Vice Chairperson Ibrahim Waheed (Iburey) said that a representative candidate for next year’s presential election from the party will be selected through a primary.

He also noted that the party’s National Council must formulate a five-member committee to oversee the election.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced his intention to run for a second term in early June.

MDP’s leader, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed strongly criticized President Solih’s announcement – stating that it was not the time to put forward personal aspirations and get one’s foot in for presidency. 

President Solih’s announcement came after Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla, Nasheed’s cousin, in April, announced Nasheed planned on running in the 2023 elections. 

Meanwhile, Progressive Party of Maldives’ senate named the party’s leader, former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom as their candidate for the upcoming presidential elections without holding a primary.

The presidential ticket was officially handed over to him at a special ceremony on August 19th.