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MDP officially hands over presidential ticket to President Solih

18 February 2023, MVT 13:42
MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail handing over the party's presidential ticket to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at a rally held in the Carnival area in Malé on 17th February 2023. PHOTO: NISHAN ALI / MIHAARU
18 February 2023, MVT 13:42

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s presidential ticket for the upcoming election has been officially handed over to the incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The President was conferred a symbolic scroll declaring that he is the party’s presidential candidate, at a rally held at the Carnival area in Malé on Friday night. The party’s Chairperson and the Minister of Economic Affairs Fayyaz Ismail, handed over the ticket to President Solih.

Speaking at the rally, Solih said that with the recent primary election, MDP has proven that it has room for different ideologies. He encouraged all party members to put aside their political differences and come together to work towards winning the presidential election slated for September 9 this year.

"Even if there are differences in views, this is the time to put those differences aside so that MDP can win the upcoming presidential election," he said.

Solih said that his priority right now is winning a second term for the party. MDP is the only political party that can maintain fair governance and deliver the kind of development the people want, he added, emphasising why it is important for MDP to win the election.

"In order to achieve this, we need to do one thing now. Tonight, I invite you all to rise together as one [party] and win this election."

The crowd gathered at the MDP rally held in the Carnival area in Malé on 17th February 2023. PHOTO: NISHAN ALI / MIHAARU

The President went on to acknowledge the hard work of the party members as well as the coalition partners of the current administration for the pace of development and the ongoing initiatives. He said that they are able to overcome the challenges they come across because they face them together.

Solih reiterated that MDP is always with the people and that the party would continue to listen to the people’s concerns. He assured that he would maintain these policies in this election.

In his speech, MDP’s presidential candidate also highlighted the numerous developmental projects carried out during this administration and spoke about his future plans for the country.

The leadership of the party, including Chairperson Fayyaz, Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi and MDP parliamentary group leader North Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Aslam spoke at last night’s rally, which was attended by hundreds of party members and supporters.

MDP’s congress on Thursday made the decision to give Solih the power to negotiate with other political parties to form a coalition in the presidential election.

President Solih won the MDP presidential primary election held on January 28 with 61 percent of the votes in his favour, while his opponent, former president and Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, won 38.9 percent.

Since the election, Nasheed has started his own movement within the party called "Fikuregge Dhirun" (meaning "reviving an ideology"). His allies within the MDP have claimed that the movement has already amassed over 50,000 supporters.

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