The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) experienced an increase in membership as the date for its primary election approaches.
The primary is held internally in order to select candidates who will run for parliament on behalf of MDP in March 2019.
While new MDP members who submitted applications before December 9 are allowed to cast their votes, candidates who intend to contest in the primary election have presented several membership forms. It is surmised that this was done to boost their own chances of success.
Although MDP officials have not yet confirmed the exact number of new members, the party’s activists have warned that the sudden influx of members will prove to be detrimental in the future.
While the option to contest in the primary election is open until December 19, some members have already begun their campaign. This includes the former president Mohamed Nasheed who intends to run for the Machangolhi Central constituency.
MDP, the largest party in the ruling coalition, announced its decision to contest all 87 constituencies in the parliamentary election, earlier this month.