Adhaalath Party opens nominations for party president

The Adhaalath Party has opened nominations for the post of party president.

In an announcement issued Monday, the party said that only individuals who were registered members of the party as of Sunday are eligible to contest. Applications must be submitted through an online form before 16:00 on January 8.

The party has outlined several eligibility requirements for candidates. Applicants must:

• Be a Muslim  

• Be a member of the Sunni community  

• Be a Maldivian citizen  

• Not hold any foreign nationality  

• Be of sound mind  

• Be a registered member of the Adhaalath Party  

• Be at least 30 years old  

• Not have been convicted of an offence specified in religion  

• Not have been convicted of treason or immorality  

• Have served at least two years in one of the party’s internal parliaments and be familiar with party rules and regulations  

• Hold at least a diploma from a government‑recognised institution and have a minimum of three years of practical experience  

If only one candidate applies, the party will conduct a show‑cause vote among members. If more than one candidate contests, a secret ballot will be held.

The election is scheduled for January 31. Only those registered with the party as of Sunday will be eligible to vote.

On April 30, 2013, former Islamic Minister Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed announced that he would rejoin the Adhaalath Party and contest for its presidency. Shaheem, who previously held senior positions in the party, left on February 14, 2017, after the party began working with the MDP during the administration of then‑President Abdulla Yameen.