Senior member of The Democrats, Mohamed Shifaz has said that The Democrats will gain prominence in the by-election for Mayor of Malé City.
Speaking at a gathering of The Democrats, former Vice President of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Shifaz, said that the party's next election will be the by-election for the Mayor of Malé City. He added that a primary will be conducted to select a candidate from The Democrats to contest in the by-election.
"That election would transform The Democrats' image among the people of Male and the people of Maldives'" -- Shifaz
Shifaz said that despite the current challenges such as the lack of resources and low membership within the party, since The Democrats received expected results in the first round of the presidential election, there is no doubt that they can win the by-election for Mayor of Malé City.
The Democrats received 15,000 votes in the first round of the presidential election.
"We will achieve our goal with this election, we can work towards it." he said.
Three members of The Democrats currently serve on the Malé City Council. They are the Councilor for North Galohlhu constituency Mohamed Saif Fathih and two other Council members. Fathih has decided to contest in the by-election for Mayor.
A by-election for the Mayor of Malé City had to be scheduled because the current Mayor, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, has been elected as the President of the Maldives for the next five years. His election took place on September 30, and he will be sworn in as President on November 17. The Mayor's responsibilities have been temporarily assigned to Deputy Mayor Ahmed Nareesh.
Several individuals have expressed their interest in contesting for Mayor, including the current Minister of Youth and Sports, Ahmed Mahloof, who has announced his intentions to run for the position.
