MDP to allocate 33 percent for youth in Local Council Election

Maldivian Democratic Party has decided to allocate 33 percent of party tickets to youth in the Local Council Elections scheduled for next year.

In yesterday's MDP National Council meeting, a report was presented on the party's preparations for the Local Council Elections by the chair of a dedicated committee, former MP for Dhaandhoo Yaugoob Abdulla.

In his presentation, he said that for the purposes of this allocation, persons between the ages of 18 and 35 will be considered youth.

"For example, if there are five councilors in an island, 33 percent of that will be youth," he said.

Yaugoob said that when submitting candidacy forms for the party's Local Council Election primaries, applicants must specify if they are applying under the special allocation for youth. In the instance that there are a high number of applicants in this category, a separate primary will be held for them.

MDP has decided to similarly allocate 33 percent for youth for the Women's Development Committee elections.

The party is also planning to hold a special training programme for candidates contesting in the Local Council Elections. This programme is not optional, Yaugoob said.

"Although it is compulsory, it won't be one where there will be tests or participants need to pass. The training is held mainly to provide information on the decentralization system, as well as the party's philosophy, fundamental policies and values and so on," Yaugoob explained.

Incumbent councilors are not mandated to attend the training, though they may join voluntarily, he stated.

MDP has also decided to grant marks and undertake a vetting process when granting party tickets for this election. Three member committees will be established in various regions to carry out the process, according to the party.