Solih: Will remain in MDP regardless of outcome; must intensify party's activities

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that he will remain a committed member of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) regardless of the outcome of the party’s ongoing Chairperson election, while stressing the need for the party to shift to a higher gear in terms of its political works. 

Voting in the election kicked off at 14:30pm in the afternoon and is set to continue until 20:30pm tonight.

The election follows weeks of intense campaigning. Former Nasheed, who is contesting in the election, along with his supporters, concluded his campaign with a colorful parade last night, while his rival, South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, wrapped up his campaign activities with a rally on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, Solih, who has endorsed Meekail in the election, said despite his support for Meekail, he will remain with the party no matter the outcome of the election.

"I will remain with the MDP, regardless of the leadership. Will undertake necessary efforts to hold the current administration accountable," he said.

Solih stressed that the MDP must "shift into a higher gear" in its political activities, arguing that democracy  in the Maldives has been declining at a rapid pace during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s two-and-a-half-year administration.

"The administration of President Muizzu is pushing the country backward much faster than our current pace of response. We are struggling to keep up at this level. He is moving rapidly toward an authoritarian regime, so we must shift into a higher gear," Solih remarked.

"I believe we will see this change in the near future,” he added.

Speaking further, Solih said a victory for Meekail would usher in a new generation of leadership to head the party. At the same time, he noted that a Nasheed victory would bring extensive political and presidential experience to the position. He emphasized that holding the government accountable is far more important than internal party divisions.

When asked whether he feared a repeat of Nasheed’s departure from the party following his defeat in the 2023 presidential primary, Solih expressed hope that such a situation would not occur again.

"I think this a mistake we should not repeat," he said.

Echoing remarks frequently made by Nasheed, Solih also reiterated the need for a change in government, with both leaders having repeatedly called for the removal of the current administration.

The election is regarded as politically significant for the MDP, marking the first major internal contest involving Nasheed since his return to the party after leaving ahead of the last presidential election to form a new political party, The Democrats. Supporters of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who is backing Meekail in the election, argue that Nasheed’s actions at the time contributed to the party’s defeat in the 2023 presidential race.

Meanwhile, Nasheed’s supporters contend that the party drifted away from its founding principles during Solih’s administration and that Nasheed was systematically marginalized. As such, the Chairperson election is widely viewed as a pivotal contest that will determine which faction gains control over the party’s future direction.