Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party declared that despite the government's obstructions the party faced in conducting its election for a new chairperson, 25,000 members had come forward to vote nonetheless.
The election was conducted as a referendum as Hassan Latheef, the newly elected MDP chairperson, was the only candidate who applied for the post. Therefore, he needed only 10 percent of the members to vote in favor of him.
In a press release, MDP stated that 25,000 people had taken part in the election without fear, despite the government's pressures and hindrances, which indicates that MDP is organized and the most popular political party of the country.
According to the Election Commission's latest statistics, the former largest party MDP had had 46,608 members at its peak. However, after the elimination of members that had not submitted their finger prints with their registration, MDP’s membership has fallen to 27,805 members.
According to MDP, the new chairperson will ensure that the party flourishes with greater strength in the future.
The fifth chairperson, Hassan Latheef, was elected following the resignation of former chairperson Ali Waheed, who is self-exiled in the United Kingdom and gave up the position stating that it is better served by a person resident in the Maldives.
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