Fayyaz congratulates Nasheed on win, states results show MDP members ready for ‘big change’

Former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail states the outcome Maldivan Democatic Party (MDP)’s chairperson election indicates membership’s strong desire for meaningful change within the organization.

Fayyaz made the remarks via a post on after former president Mohamed Nasheed secured a decisive victory in the election. Congratulating both Nasheed and MDP members, he emphasized the scale of Nasheed’s success in the polls held on Friday.

Fayyaz said that, by the grace of Allah, victory had been achieved and expressed pride in witnessing the mobilization of the party’s "Yellow Army" across the country within a relatively short period.

މަރުހަބާ ރައީސް ނަޝީދު. މަރުހަބާ އެމްޑީޕީ މެންބަރުން. މާތް اللهގެ ވާގިފުޅާއެކު އަޅުގަނޑުމެންނަށް ކާމިޔާބަށް ވާސިލުވެވިއްޖެ. މި ލިބުނު ކުޑަ ދުވަސްކޮޅު ތެރޭ މުޅި ރާއްޖޭގައި ރީނދޫ ލަޝްކަރު ރުކުރުވާލެވިފައި އޮތް މަންޒަރު ފެނުމަކީ ބޮޑު އުފަލެއް. މި ކެމްޕޭނުގައި ވަރަށް ބުރަކޮށް… pic.twitter.com/t3upOYHCKE

— Fayyaz Ismail (@faya_i) June 12, 2026

In the election, Nasheed faced off South Galolhu MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, who was endorsed by former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Provisional results indicate that Nasheed secured a landslide victory.

Fayyaz further stated that the election result demonstrated that party members are the driving force behind the MDP and those who ultimately determine its direction. He described the votes cast by members as a "pivotal decision to prioritize the nation over seeking retribution for past grievances." He also praised Meekail and his campaign team for the dedication, determination, and effort they displayed throughout the campaign.

The election was widely viewed as a contest between the MDP’s two principal internal factions. With Nasheed prevailing in the first major internal election since rejoining the MDP after leaving to form 'The Democrats,' the balance of power within the party has shifted once again. Fayyaz, whose resignation from the chairperson position prompted the election, had publicly declared his support for Nasheed.

Fayyaz concluded by stating that the party’s foremost objective moving forward is to unite in opposition against the current administration. He expressed confidence that a united effort would lead to success and said that the pursuit of the significant changes they envision for the Maldives had begun with today’s result.