Meekail Announces Bid for MDP Chairperson

South Galolhu MP Meekail Naseem has announced his decision to contest the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) vacant chairperson position, as the party continues to struggle to elect an interim leader.

In a post on X, Meekail called on party members to support his bid, saying he aims to help usher in a new generation of leadership.

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His announcement comes after the previous chairperson, Fayyaz Ismail, resigned last week citing the party’s, and his failure to resolve deep-rooted internal disputes. The MDP’s National Council meeting held on Friday ended in disarray as members clashed over who should serve as interim chairperson.

Three names were proposed: former Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Aslam, former Dhidhdhoo MP Abdulla Waheed, and Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa. Tensions rose immediately after Aslam’s nomination, which the chair ruled invalid on the grounds that he was not a member of the National Council.

Abdulla Waheed secured 47 votes from the 96 members present, but the chair argued this did not meet the required threshold. Waheed’s supporters disputed the ruling, insisting he had met the criteria for election. 

The meeting was abruptly halted after many members walked out, prompting the chair to declare that the session could not proceed.

Meekail, one of the party’s youngest figures, was first elected to the 19th Parliament and successfully defended his seat in the 20th Parliament.