MDP opens call for candidates contesting in internal congress elections

Main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have revealed that they will be hosting elections internal elections on 29 May 2021, with the call now open for candidates who wish to contest in the party's congress election.

Speaking at a press conference held inside the party's office, Spokesperson for MDP and MP for North-Maafannu constituency Imthiyaz Fahmy revealed that candidates who wished to take party in MDP's congress elections could do so beginning 24 April 2021. MP Imthiyaz added that those candidates who wished to contest in the elections could apply online or via a physical form submission, and that they would be required to submit an excel sheet of signatories supporting their candidacy with every form.

Those members of MDP who wish to contest for president of constituencies in the party's congress must acquire at least 50 signatures from citizens from their constituency. Those contesting for presidency in provinces or cities must submit 200 signatures of supporters to legitimize their candidacy.

While MDP will be electing a total of 455 members into different positions at the party's congress, the deadline for candidates to submit contestation forms is 8 May 2021.

MDP will also allow candidates contesting in the elections to appoint observers between 9 May and 12 May ahead of the vote, with party Spokesperson MP Imthiyaz confirming that a final list of candidates will be made public on the same day.

Only those members registered to Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) before 18 April 2021 will be eligible to vote in the congress. While a voters' list for the elections were made public on 24 April, members of MDP will be able to submit complaints to the list until 28 April 2021. After the complaints-review process, a permanent list of eligible voters will be made public on 5 May.

Only members registered to MDP from different constituencies will be able to take part in the party's congress elections. MDP has earlier revealed that a total of 93,354 people have been registered with the party, and have made a list of members public on the party's website, where citizens can confirm whether or not they are a member of MDP through text message.

According to MDP, the vote to elect members for various positions in the party's congress will take place as per the Covid-19 health and safety restrictions as proposed by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) earlier for the Local Council and Women's Development Committee Elections.

Voting for MDP's congress will begin at 9am on 29 May 2021, and will take place until 5pm of the same day.