Former President Nasheed Wins MDP Chair Election

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has won the chairperson election of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the second-largest political party in the Maldives.

Voting for the election took place from 2:30 pm until 9:00 pm on Saturday across the country. However, polling did not proceed in two islands — Feeali and Fiyooree — due to issues encountered during the voting process.

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Three candidates contested the election: Nasheed, Meekail Ahmed Naseem, who represents the South Galolhu constituency in the People’s Majlis, and Ibrahim Mohamed.

Provisional results showed Nasheed leading by a significant margin. Meekail secured roughly half the number of votes received by Nasheed, effectively confirming the former president’s victory.

Following the result, Nasheed’s supporters and campaign team gathered at Artificial Beach to celebrate.

Nasheed thanked MDP members and his “BoduBadhalu” campaign team for their support, describing the outcome as a major victory for democracy and reform efforts in the Maldives. He also congratulated fellow candidate Meekail Ahmed Naseem on the election.

MDP ge lobuvethi membarunnashaai, #BoduBadhalu campaign team ah nuhanu gina shukuru! Miee Dhivehi Raajjeyge democracy aai islaahee masahkathah libunu bodu molheh. Candidate Meekail Naseem ah ves marhaba.— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) June 12, 2026

In a post on X, Meekail said he had called Mohamed Nasheed to congratulate him on his victory in the MDP chairperson election. He also pledged to work towards the party’s success in 2028, stressing the importance of unity within the MDP and stating that he would continue to stand alongside the party’s grassroots members.

އިރުކޮޅެއް ކުރިން ރައީސް ނަޝީދަށް ފޯނުކޮށް، އެމަނިކުފާނަު ހޯއްދެވި ފުރިހަމަ ކާމިޔާބަށް މަރުހަބާ ދެންނެވިން. އަދި އެމްޑީޕީ އެކަތިގަނޑެއްގެ ގޮތުގާ ބާއްވާ 2028 މި ޕާޓީއަށް ކާމިޔާބުކޮށްދިނުމަށް އާ އަޒުމެއްގައި މަސައްކަތްކުރާނަން! ޕާޓީގެ އާންމު މެންބަރުންނާއި އެކު ދެމިހުންނާނަން!— Meekail Naseem (@MickailNaseem) June 12, 2026

The MDP chairperson position became vacant after Fayyaz Ismail resigned from the post. The position had been held on an interim basis by Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, the Member of Parliament for Hanimaadhoo.

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who had endorsed Meekail in the contest, congratulated Nasheed following the result.

In a post on X, Solih congratulated Nasheed on his victory and expressed confidence that he would use his experience to help the party strengthen its efforts to hold the government accountable. Solih also congratulated Meekail, praising his performance in the election and stating that his political future remained bright.

Solih further said the election demonstrated the continued growth of internal democracy within the MDP and called on party members to move forward together.