Hanimaadhoo MP Gafoor Elected as MDP’s Interim Chairperson

Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Gafoor Moosa has been elected interim chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), after the party reconvened its National Council to resolve a leadership dispute stemming from a contentious earlier vote.

Gafoor won the post with the support of 65 of the 66 council members who participated in the vote last night. The chairperson’s position became vacant following the resignation of former economic minister Fayyaz Ismail.

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The National Council had first met last week to choose an interim chairperson, but that sitting ended in confusion. Three names were initially put forward: former parliamentary speaker Mohamed Aslam, former Dhidhdhoo MP Abdulla Waheed, and Gafoor. The meeting quickly became heated after the chair ruled that Aslam was ineligible to contest because he is not a member of the National Council, prompting objections from some members.

The vote then proceeded without Aslam. Waheed received 48 votes, but with 96 members recorded as present at the start, the chair ruled that he had fallen short of the required threshold. Disputes over procedure and attendance followed, and the sitting was abandoned without a clear result.

Supporters of Abdulla Waheed later argued that he had secured the necessary majority. Their position was reflected in a report issued by deputy chairperson Ibrahim Waheed, which stated that one member had left the hall before the vote. On that basis, he said 95 members, excluding the chair, had participated, making 48 votes sufficient for a simple majority.

Even so, Abdulla Waheed declined to take up the position, saying he no longer believed he could carry out the role effectively due to the behaviour of some of those who had backed his candidacy. He framed his refusal as a decision taken in the interest of party unity, warning against actions that could weaken the MDP ahead of upcoming local council elections.

Gafoor is the longest-serving member of the MDP’s parliamentary group and one of the most senior members of the People’s Majlis. His biggest challenge as interim chairperson will be to unite the party ahead of the local council elections, where the Malé mayoral primary has already become a highly contested race between current Mayor Adam Azam and former MP Ali Azim.