MDP opens applications for Chairperson position

Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) has opened applications for the position of Chairperson and other key positions in the party on Saturday.

According to the party, those interested in applying for the post of Chairperson, President and Vice President of “Anhenunge Rooh” and “Zuvaanunge Hiyvaru”, the women’s and youth wing of the party respectively, can apply for the positions by Saturday, February 19.

MDP’s internal election is scheduled to be held on April 16.

The current Chairperson of the leading party of the coalition administration is parliament member for the Henveyru Hulhangu constituency Hassan Latheef. His five year term as chairperson had ended yesterday.

So far Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail and parliament member for Maafannu Uthuru constituency Imthiyaz Fahumy has announced they will be running for the chairperson position.

As the aforementioned candidates are favourites of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed respectively, the election is expected to be highly competitive.

Managing Director of STO Hussain Amru, who had expressed intent to run for chairperson before the applying for the positions was announced, has said he will not be running for the position anymore. It is unclear why he backed out yet.

After the positions are filled in the election, MDP plans to hold its internal congress in August. These decisions were finalised during the party’s national parliament session held on Thursday.

Former Maldivian President and current President of MDP Mohamed Nasheed has said the party’s biggest task at the moment is to start working toward the Presidential Election that will be held in 2023. It is important for the party to hold a congress to propose major changes to the Constitution as well, he said