Latheef gets 25,545 votes in MDP chair polls

Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Hassan Latheef won Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s chairperson election on Friday, with a total of 25,545 members voting in favor of him being elected as chair.

A total of 202 ballot boxes were placed in seven locations, with voting carried out from 2 pm to 6 pm on Friday. Latheef, who needed 10 percent (at least 5000 votes) to be elected as chair, received a total of 25,545 votes, according to initial results.

25,801 members took part in the ballots, with 167 voting against and 89 null votes.

Despite being the sole candidate, Latheef had campaigned throughout the country, prior to Friday's election.

He said the purpose was to meet as many MDP members, and get their opinion and feedback on what they need.

Latheef is the fifth chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party.

Party leader Nasheed's blessing

MDP leader, ex-President Nasheed casts his vote in Colombo, Sri Lanka

MDP's leader, exiled former President Mohamed Nasheed cast his vote from Colombo, Sri Lanka on Friday. He had called out to party members to go out and participate in the election.

Following Latheef's win, Nasheed, via twitter, congratulated MDP's new chair.

"Your [Latheef's] work will strengthen MDP and expand liberties for all Maldivians," reads the former President's tweet.

Latheef is a member of Nasheed's legal team, who took Nasheed's case to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD). UNWGAD had, in October 2015, ruled that his 13-year imprisonment is "arbitrary." The former President was found guilty on terror charges and sentenced to 13-years in jail, in March 2015.