Multiple Incumbent MPs Secure MDP Nomination for Parliamentary Elections
Photo: MDP
Several incumbent lawmakers are poised for re-election to the Parliament, having emerged victorious in the main opposition MDP primaries for the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
A total of 46 candidates, including numerous incumbent lawmakers, have already clinched the party’s nomination after running uncontested.
The MDP primaries for 40 electoral districts were held from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm on Saturday, with 25,325 eligible voters participating.
Preliminary results indicate that several incumbent lawmakers secured victory in Saturday’s primaries, including Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir, Biledhdhoo MP Ahmed Haleem (Dhonbileh), Kinbidhoo MP Mohamed Nashiz, Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abdulla Shafeeq, Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, Alifushi MP Mohamed Rasheed (Bigey), and Vilingili MP Saud Hussain.
While Nashiz emerged victorious, his wife, Addu Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam, faced defeat in her bid for the North Feydhoo seat.
Other successful candidates in the primaries include former tourism minister Ali Waheed, the spouse of former sports minister Ahmed Mahloof, Nazra Naseem, and Safath Ahmed Zahir, the former spokesperson at the foreign ministry.
MDP had previously achieved a significant victory in the 2019 elections, securing a supermajority in Parliament with 65 out of 87 seats.
However, the party faced defeat in the recent presidential elections to the PPM-PNC and now aims to maintain its political influence by securing significant wins in this year’s parliamentary elections.
The parliamentary elections are scheduled for March 17th. However, the MDP has submitted a bill seeking to postpone the election until after Ramadan.