MDP Postpones Extraordinary Congress to Next Year
MDP National Council members raise their hands in a vote during last night’s meeting. | Photo: MDP
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has decided to postpone its extraordinary congress to next year, following a resolution passed by the party’s National Council on Wednesday evening.
Originally scheduled to take place before 15 August this year, the congress will now be held in mid-2026, after the Local Council Elections. The proposal to defer the congress was submitted by former Hoarafushi MP Ahmed Saleem.
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Several council members expressed concern over the short notice of the change. Responding to this, MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail stated that preparations had been underway since May for the party’s 20th anniversary celebrations. He also noted that the National Assembly had not been able to convene until Wednesday night to formally address the postponement.
The decision to delay the congress comes amid internal discussions on significant structural changes within the party. One of the central proposals is to merge the positions of president and chairperson into a single leadership role. Fayyaz, who currently serves as chairperson, argued that this consolidation would improve the party’s operational efficiency. The role of party president is presently held by former foreign minister Abdulla Shahid.
Fayyaz also intends to propose further amendments to the party’s charter at the upcoming congress. These include a clause that would prevent the party leader from contesting a presidential election during their term, and another barring the leader from holding government office, serving in parliament, or being part of an independent institution while the party is in power.
He said these changes aim to ensure the MDP functions independently and remains free from factional influence and external political pressure.
During the National Council meeting, several members also noted that it would be more beneficial for the party to focus on the upcoming Local Council Elections, rather than implementing major changes ahead of the vote.
The MDP last held a party congress in 2022.
