Support candidates who win the primary: Ghafoor

Interim Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) chairperson Abdul Ghafoor Moosa (Gapo) has urged party members to support candidates who win the party ticket in tomorrow’s primary for the upcoming Local Council elections, even if they themselves do not secure the ticket.

As per a message sent by Ghafoor via social media to MDP members before the primary vote, he said that MDP is always the party that conducts democratic activities on the largest scale in Maldives. He also said that MDP has done immense work in bringing democracy to Maldives.

Ghafoor went on to say that he requests all party members to participate in the primary vote and advised to proceed in a peaceful manner regarding voting procedures.

He also said that preparations have finished regarding the voting centers for the primary, with arrangements having fully been made.

"As I have requested before, everyone, even candidates who win or lose, has to work together in order to win the upcoming election," said Ghafoor.

"The people now believe that we need to bring about a change. That change can only be brought about by all candidates and MDP supporters working together to win the election."

Tomorrow's MDP primary will see 92 candidates from 25 islands run for the island council election. 37 candidates from the five islands that are designated as cities, totaling 129 candidates.

23 candidates will be running to win MDP's ticket for Women's Development Committees. This is split into 15 candidates from islands and 8 candidates from Male'.

The contest for the position of Mayor of Mae' is expected to be the most competitive in the primary, with the current mayor, Adam Azim, set to run against Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim.

Some candidates have been awarded the MDP ticket without contesting the primary, as no other candidates filed to run for those positions.