The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has said that it received several new member registrations ahead of its parliamentary primary elections.

While the party stopped releasing forms at 11:00pm on Friday night, a long queue had been formed to file them and administrative officials had spent hours more processing them.

Candidates that wish to contest the 2019 People’s Majlis elections through MDP will have to go through a primary election. However, constituencies with just one candidate will be given a ticket.

Candidates that are contesting for a party ticket have until 19th December to apply, and must present endorsements from 200 signatories.

MDP has announced that it will be putting forth candidates for all 87 constituencies. The primary election will be held on 18th January, 2019.