Waheed’s nomination for MDP’s interim chairperson post rejected

Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s National Council has rejected former Dhidhdhoo MP Abdulla Waheed’s nomination as the party’s interim chairperson.

MDP’s chairperson post became vacant following the resignation of Fayyaz Ismail, who last held the post, on Sunday.

The party’s National Council convened for a meeting on Friday night to appoint an interim chairperson.

Sun has learned that there were plans to make two nominations for the post: Waheed and former Parliament Speaker and North Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Aslam.

Aslam was considered by the faction aligned with former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, while Waheed was considered by the faction aligned with former president Mohamed Nasheed.

However, Aslam’s name was ultimately not submitted, following the recommendation of the party’s Legal Director, Mohamed Mauroof, who advised that the party’s constitution stipulates that the interim chairperson must be a National Council member elected by the Council’s vote.

Mauroof also counseled that the spirit of both the party’s constitution and framework oppose appointing an interim chairperson who has not been elected to lead one of the party’s electoral organs.

A vote was taken regarding Waheed’s appointment as the party’s interim chairperson. He lost by a difference of a single vote: 47 members voted in favor and 48 members against.

After the vote, the National Council meeting broke for recess citing order was lost.

Fayyaz, then Economic Minister, was elected MDP Chairman on May 23, 2022, defeating then-party spokesperson and former North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahmy.  He announced his resignation from the post during a National Council meeting held on Sunday night.

In a five-page resignation letter addressed to MDP National Assembly members, Fayyaz said he had assumed the role “with high hopes” and despite facing significant challenges in running the party, had undertaken significant efforts to resolve the rift among party leaders.  

He noted that carrying out party duties became increasingly difficult after he declared his intention to run in the party’s 2028 presidential primary, as several others with similar ambitions are already at the party’s forefront.