Leader of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), former President Mohamed Nasheed has thanked its deputy chairperson Ali Shiyam, as he decides not to run for an additional term.

In a tweet sent out via his official account on Friday, the former President thanked Shiyam for his "invaluable service" to the party over the years as its deputy chairperson "at the forefront of the democratic movement in Maldives".

In addition to Nasheed, a number of senior MDP officials as well as members have taken to social media to express gratitude to Shiyam.

He was appointed to the post in 2012, with MDP noting that the enormous amount of work he has done for the party in the past five years "is priceless".

The MDP is to hold its general elections in July, with the chairperson vote scheduled for August.