The governing coalition’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Adhaalath Party held separate talks on late Sunday to discuss seat allocation for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
The meeting is the first time the two parties have joined together separately since disagreements surfaced over seat allocation within the coalition.
Adhaalath Party was represented by party leader Imran Abdulla who is currently Minister of Home Affairs. He was joined by Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services Shidhaatha Shareef and Commissioner General of Customs Ahmed Nooman.
From MDP former President and party leader Mohamed Nasheed, MDP Chairperson Hassan Latheef and other frontline members of the party.
MDP’s Deputy Secretary-General Afshan Latheef said on Sunday that the two parties discussed on how to allocate contesting in seats for the elections. However, Afshan did not disclose whether they reached an agreement or not.
Allegedly, disputes within the coalition arose when MDP’s decision to contest for 86 constituencies.
According to MDP, they need majority in the parliament to implement manifesto.
Meanwhile, JP maintains their stance against a clean majority set for one party when considering the sustainability of the governing coalition.
JP supports the notion of governing parties holding seats in constituencies that relate to them, which means 36 constituencies for MDP, 22 for JP, 13 for Adhaalath party and 17 constituencies for ex-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s political movement Maumoon Reform Movement.
AdhaalathParty has decided to run for 13 constituencies.
Coalition parties are seen campaigning individually for the parliamentary elections as they could not agree on the initial terms.
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