Proposal submitted to Congress to designate Chairperson as MDP's highest-ranking position
1 އޮކްޓޯބަރު 2026 | ބުރާސްފަތި 15:48The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is set to amend its charter during a special congress to abolish the positions of party president and vice president, designating the chairperson as the party's top leader. Aimed at streamlining the party's administration under a unified leadership, the proposal to eliminate these currently vacant roles has been submitted to the congress, which is attended by over 980 delegates.
The flag of the opposition MDP. | Social Media
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has decided to introduce significant amendments to its charter, designating the Chairperson as the party’s highest-ranking official and abolishing the positions of President and Vice President.
These key amendments are scheduled to be proposed for approval during the MDP's extraordinary congress, which is set to take place in Male' from Thursday night through Saturday.
According to the newly drafted statutes, the Chairperson is designated as the party's highest political and administrative leader. Following the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairpersons will hold the next most senior roles within the party hierarchy. With this structural change, the full responsibility for party management and all administrative affairs will rest entirely with the Chairperson and their deputies.
As preparations are underway to propose the abolition of the MDP presidency and vice presidency at the party's congress, both positions currently remain vacant. These vacancies arose following the resignation of former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, who had been elected unopposed as MDP President, to contest the party's upcoming presidential primary. Simultaneously, the party’s Vice President, Hisaan Hussain, also resigned from her post. Her resignation was intended to allow her to take an active leadership role in Shahid’s primary campaign.
Notably, the party's former Chairperson and former Economic Minister, Fayyaz Ismail, has previously expressed and advocated for the abolition of the President and Vice President positions to streamline party operations and unify the organization under a single leadership structure.
Speaking at a press conference regarding the upcoming congress, MDP Deputy Chairperson Ibrahim Waheed stated that the event has received an overwhelming response from the party's general membership and delegates. He noted that more than 980 delegates from across the Maldives have already registered to participate in the congress.
According to the latest official records from the Elections Commission, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) currently has 55,399 registered members. This makes the MDP the second-largest political party in the country after the ruling People's National Congress (PNC), and the nation's primary opposition force. The amendments introduced during this congress are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the party’s future and its strategic preparations for upcoming elections.
