Democrats hold primaries for Majlis elections

The opposition Democrats, which recently announced an alliance with the MDP, also held its primaries on Saturday.

The polls opened at 09:00 am, and is set to close at 04:00 pm.

The party is holding primaries in four electoral districts; Kelaa, Kanditheemu, South Hulhumale’, and South Henveiru.

Those who contested the primaries include incumbent Madaveli MP Hussain Firushan, who is eyeing the South Hulhumale’ seat, and Male’ City councilman Mohamed Saif Fathih, who is eyeing the South Henveiru seat.

Many of the party’s incumbent MPs have already secured their tickets for the upcoming elections.

This includes Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim, North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla, North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahmy, Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bondey), West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef, and Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed (Wadde), who is contesting for the Inguraidhoo seat.

Democrats had announced last week that it is running for 41 seats in the Parliament.

But on Friday, the party announced it plans on contesting for all 93 seats, and is therefore seeking more candidates.

The parliamentary elections is scheduled for March 17th.

However, the MDP has submitted a bill seeking to postpone the election, to after Ramadan.