MDP Opens Applications for Thinadhoo Council and WDC By-Election Tickets

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has opened applications for members seeking to contest the upcoming Vaavu Thinadhoo Council presidency and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) by-elections on the party’s ticket, with submissions closing at 2:00pm on Thursday.

In an announcement issued yesterday, the party invited members interested in contesting the by-elections to submit their applications before the deadline.

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Applicants must be MDP members and meet the eligibility requirements under Article 12 of the Local Council Elections Act. Candidates seeking to contest WDC by-elections must also satisfy the eligibility requirements under Article 8 of the regulations governing WDCs.

Applicants are required to submit the party’s application form along with criminal and debt record clearance documents from the Department of Judicial Administration and the Maldives Correctional Service.

The Thinadhoo Council presidency by-election is scheduled for 28 November, following the Local Government Authority’s decision to declare the previous president’s seat vacant. The vacancy arose after former Council President Shujau Ali, elected on The Democrats’ ticket in the April local council elections, joined the MDP after The Democrats was dissolved for failing to maintain the minimum membership required by law.

The Local Government Authority ruled that Shujau had forfeited his seat under the anti-defection provisions of the Decentralisation Act after registering as an MDP member on 19 May. The decision was contested by opposition figures, who questioned the application of the provisions following the dissolution of a political party.