The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced its decision to undertake a comprehensive assessment to determine the reasons behind its recent electoral setbacks. This follows substantial losses in both the presidential and the latest parliamentary elections, where the MDP secured only 12 out of 89 contested seats. The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) achieved a parliamentary supermajority.
At a press conference following the party’s National Council meeting on Wednesday, MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail stated that the assessment is crucial to devise a strategic roadmap for future elections. Despite calls for leadership changes, Ismail confirmed that no current leaders intend to resign. He highlighted that the party will provide a platform for leadership change at next year’s congress, should members be dissatisfied.
Additionally, Ismail dismissed the notion that MDP’s campaign strategy, criticised by some as being more anti-campaigning than campaigning, was solely responsible for the electoral loss. The party plans to delve into various factors, including campaign tactics and leadership actions, to understand the political landscape shifts in the Maldives.
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and current MDP President Abdulla Shahid reinforced the chairperson’s sentiments, stressing the importance of stability within the party leadership. Shahid stated that the calls for Fayyaz’s resignation were largely from those opposed to the party’s ideology, and emphasised the commitment of the leadership to remain steadfast despite the challenges.
Reflecting on past experiences, Shahid recalled the party’s resilience after losing the 2013 presidential election and the 2014 parliamentary elections. The party responded with a similar introspective approach, which eventually led to significant victories in subsequent elections.
