I will not consider election results; I will remain with MDP: Meekail
Galolhu South MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem stated that MDP members desire a neutral chairperson who remains unbiased in the party's internal leadership race. Speaking to the media during a visit to the atolls, Meekail accused the government of interfering with the judiciary to penalize journalists and restrict freedom of expression, asserting that the fundamental rights established in the Maldives must not be undermined.
Meekail Ahmed Naseem, the Member of Parliament for South Galolhu and candidate for the Chairperson position, meets with MDP supporters in Dhaalu Kudahuvadhoo. | Raajje MV
Member of Parliament for South Galolhu, Meekail Ahmed Naseem, has stated that his commitment to the MDP is unrelated to the outcome of the party's chairperson election, asserting that he will remain with the party regardless of the results.
Speaking to RaajjeTV from Dhaalu Kudahuvadhoo, Meekail noted that during his visits to numerous islands on this trip, a recurring question from members has been whether he would remain with the MDP regardless of the election outcome. He expressed his deep regret that after twenty years of the party's existence, general members still feel the need to ask such a question.
Meekail noted that a second observation from this trip is the desire among MDP members to elect a neutral chairperson ahead of 2028. He stated that the membership seeks a leader who is not aligned with any specific faction and is committed to maintaining the party's unity, equality, and fairness.
MDP members want to elect a neutral chairperson ahead of 2028—someone who is unbiased and committed to upholding the party's unity, equality, and justice. Therefore, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the general members of the MDP in Kudahuvadhoo for the warm welcome we received during this visit. I also want to assure all general members that we are highly confident of securing victory in this election.Meekail Ahmed Naseem
Expressing his profound gratitude to the general members of the MDP for the warm welcome received during this trip, particularly in Kudahuvadhoo, Meekail stated that he remains highly confident of securing victory in this election.
Meekail also addressed the issue of press freedom. He stated that while this trip is ongoing, the Criminal Court’s sentencing and fining of two journalists from Adhadhu is part of a systematic effort by President Muizzu to stifle media freedom in the Maldives by interfering with the judiciary.
Meekail stated that despite these actions, the current situation in the Maldives demonstrates that the Maldivian people are not prepared to relinquish their freedom of the press or their right to freedom of expression. He further remarked that it is a grave misconception for President Muizzu to believe that fundamental, civil, and human rights established in the Maldives can be dismantled by interfering with the judiciary or by securing specific orders through the Criminal Court.
