Chairperson for Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Hassan Latheef has announced that internal primaries for the Party’s presidential primaries will be held in May 2018.

Speaking in a press conference in Marble Hotel, Hassan Latheef said that they will also be announcing their manifesto. He also added that the party was in the process of drawing up a plan to prepare for the elections and to facilitate free and fair elections.

Hassan Latheef added that even though they had elected a candidate, MDP would still be working with the Joint Opposition. The aim of the Joint Opposition, he said, still was to bring for a single candidate, adding that they were preparing for talks.

The Chairperson said opportunity was open to all to contest in the primaries.

Hassan further stressed that a strategic plan will facilitate a defeat for President Yameen.

He added that the Parliamentary Group of the Joint Opposition had assurance that meaningful change can be gained by bringing in required legislation from within the Parliament and facilitate a free and fair elections.

Noting that the opposition commanded Parliament majority, Hassan said they will not allow President Yameen to maintain his autocratic hold on the Parliament.

Hassan also flat out refused to accept legitimacy of the Elections Commission and any elections they hold. As such, he said changes must be brought to make the Commission truly independent.