President of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Abdulla Shahid has instructed that a new National Congress meeting be convened to complete the stalled process of electing an interim chairperson, after the previous meeting failed to finalize the vote.

Shahid’s directive was issued in a letter sent Sunday to Ibrahim Waheed, the MDP’s Vice Chairperson (Administration).

In the letter, Shahid detailed multiple concerns about the National Congress meeting held on 29 November 2025, which was presided over by Waheed.

During that session, the number of eligible voting members present was first announced as 96, then revised to 95, excluding the presiding officer.

After the administrative desk counted the votes, the presidency announced that Abdulla Waheed, the first candidate put forward to temporarily assume the chairperson’s responsibilities, had received 47 votes and that his nomination had passed. Shahid noted, however, that members protested, arguing that half of 95 is not 47. The presidency then recalculated and announced that the nomination had not passed.

Shahid stated that by announcing two conflicting results, the presidency caused the meeting to lose order, triggering chaos. He said the meeting became tumultuous and could not continue, leading to its adjournment. Adding that video and audio recordings exist, Shahid stated that the events unfolded in full view of members. With tensions high, Abdulla Waheed withdrew his candidacy for the sake of party unity.

Shahid advised that the next National Congress meeting should proceed only once all necessary arrangements are in place.

On Friday night, the National Council meeting, held without media access, was adjourned after Ibrahim Waheed declared the environment unsuitable for proceeding. He announced that Abdulla Waheed’s nomination had not passed and said decisions on next steps would be made after further consultation.

The chairperson post became vacant following the sudden resignation of Fayyaz Ismail. Before the interim position was put to a vote, the names proposed alongside Abdulla Waheed, were former Speaker Mohamed Aslam and Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa. The presidency decided not to put Aslam’s name to a vote, and due to the meeting’s disorder, Ghafoor’s name was also not put forward during the session.