The MDP National Council has postponed the election of their permanent Chairperson.

Last night's MDP National Council meeting of the party saw this be passed, with 58 of the 69 members that were present in favor of the motion, which was initially introduced by Hoarafushi constituency MP Ahmed Saleem.

Saleem's motion reads that MDP is to hold the election for the Chairperson within next year's Local Council Election, up until seven days from the day voting begins for the Local Council Election. It also reads that a schedule is to be set up within MDP's rules and guidelines regarding the election process.

As per the Election Commission's (EC) announcement, the Local Council Election will begin on 4th April 2026.

The election for the Chairperson was postponed as MDP National Council members expressed that time was needed for the campaigning of the Local Council Election.

The position of MDP Chairman was vacated on 23rd November as Fayyaz Ismail, who had served for around four years, sent in his resignation. While the council held a meeting to elect an interim Chairperson on the night of 30th November, the meeting was cut short due to the dissatisfaction that formed between two factions.

Former Dhidhdhoo constituency MP Abdulla Waheed had decided to run for interim Chairperson. However, the meeting was halted due to differences in opinion regarding the vote count.

The meeting resumed last night only after both factions had come to the same opinions in determining who would be the interim Chairperson. Hanimaadhoo constituency MP Abdul Gafoor Moosa (Gapo) was the only one to cast his name for the position.

Gafoor was elected as the interim Chairperson for MDP during last night's meeting, with 65 members in favor.