MDP to Hold Primary on 30 January

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced that it will hold a primary election on 30 January 2026 to select its candidates for the upcoming local council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections.

According to the timeline released by the main opposition party, voting in the primaries will take place from 2.30pm to 8pm on the day. The party said it will publish the list of candidates contesting in constituencies where primaries are to be held on Monday, after which a 24-hour window will be provided for submitting complaints. A final list of candidates eligible to contest in the primaries will be released following the review process.

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MDP also confirmed that the voters’ list for the primaries will be published on 8 January 2026.

The party has previously announced plans to conduct primary elections in 58 constituencies to select candidates for both local council and WDC elections.

As preparations continue, attention has focused on the contest for the MDP’s mayoral candidacy in Malé City. The race is shaping up between the current mayor, Adam Azim, and former Central Henveyru MP Ali Azim, both of whom have launched their campaigns in the capital.

The MDP primary is scheduled to take place on 30 January, while the ruling Progressive National Congress (PNC) has announced that its primary election will be held next Saturday.