MDP Stresses Community Focus After Parliamentary Election Losses

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) expressed disappointment after suffering a heavy defeat in yesterday’s parliamentary elections but affirmed its commitment to work closer with communities.

“Whilst today’s result is disappointing, this is a moment to reaffirm our commitment and work even closer with our communities,” the party’s chairperson Fayyaz Ismail said in a post on X.

advertisement

MDP suffered a historic defeat on Sunday’s polls, securing only 14 seats out of the 93 contested, despite fielding candidates for 89 seats.

In a press release issued last night, the party extended congratulations to all successful candidates while expressing gratitude to those who voted and campaigned in support of MDP candidates.

The statement noted the party’s hopes for the 20th parliament to uphold democratic principles, serve the common good of Maldivian citizens, and continue the developmental initiatives for the country.

Moreover, the party expressed confidence in the newly elected members’ commitment to governmental accountability, emphasising it as a paramount duty of parliamentarians.

Sunday’s polls saw the party suffer heavy losses across the country, losing seats it previously won in consecutive elections.  

The party, traditionally strong in urban areas, failed to clinch a majority in any city. Notably, it secured only three out of 17 seats in the capital, Male’ City, and two out of eight in the southern Addu City. Furthermore, MDP did not secure any seats in Kulhudhuffushi City or Fuvahmulah City, where the ruling Progressive National Coalition (PNC) completed a clean sweep.

The party also lost it’s grip on the Hinnavaru constituency after 30 years. This seat was previously held by Jeehan Mahmoud in the last term, with former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih holding it for 25 years prior.

Sunday’s election marked the defeat of several long-standing MDP incumbents, including MPs who had parted ways with MDP following a leadership split last year, forming The Democrats party under the leadership of Former President Mohamed Nasheed.

In a noteworthy outcome, MDP lost the North Maafannu constituency, held by Imthiyaz Fahmy for the past 15 years, to former Defense Minister Mohamed Nazim from the Maldives National Party (MNP). Ifham Hussain, contesting from MDP, secured second place with only 27 percent of the votes, while Imthiyaz, representing The Democrats party, came in third.