The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced its decision not to contest four seats in the forthcoming parliamentary elections.
The elections, scheduled post-Ramadan, will see the MDP’s absence from the constituencies of Felidhoo, Nilandhoo, North Fuvahmulah, and Guraidhoo in Thaa Atoll. This was confirmed by the MDP Deputy Chairperson, Ibrahim Waheed, in a statement to a local media outlet. However, the MDP may extend its endorsement to other candidates contesting these constituencies, added Waheed.
Contrary to its initial declaration of contesting all 93 seats, the MDP submitted nomination papers for only 89 candidates to the Elections Commission of Maldives (EC). The MDP did not hold primaries in 14 constituencies, but the party later awarded tickets to 10 of these constituencies.
In the last parliamentary elections in 2019, the MDP won a supermajority in parliament, securing 65 of the 87 parliamentary seats. This marked the first time a single political party achieved such a significant victory, and the MDP holds the record for winning the highest number of elections it has contested.
