Shifaz OK’d for MDP’s deputy chairpersonship

The National Council of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), on Monday night, has approved the appointment of former Vice President Mohamed Shifaz to the vacant position of Deputy Chairperson (Financial).  

The MDP’s leadership structure includes two Deputy Chairpersons, with one overseeing administrative affairs and the other responsible for financial matters.

Shifaz’s nomination was put forward by party’s Chairperson and former President Mohamed Nasheed during a National Council meeting. His appointment was approved with the support of 30 of the 34 members present at the session.

A close associate of former president Nasheed, Shifaz resigned as MDP’s Vice President following internal divisions that emerged after the party’s 2023 presidential primary. He subsequently played a prominent role in establishing 'The Democrats' and served as the party’s Vice President alongside several Nasheed loyalists. Shifaz later resigned from The Democrats and rejoined the MDP on January 12 last year. During his previous tenure as MDP’s Vice President, Nasheed served as the party’s President.

The position of Deputy Chairperson (Financial) became vacant following the resignation of former Ihavandhoo MP Ahmed Abdulla last Wednesday. In his resignation letter to President Nasheed, Ahmed stated that he was stepping down to actively participate in the campaign of the party’s former president Abdulla Shahid, who has announced his candidacy for the upcoming presidential primary.

Ahmed stated that party leaders, including Presidents, Vice Presidents, Chairpersons, and Deputy Chairpersons, have a responsibility to safeguard the rights of all candidates equally. He noted that actively campaigning for a particular candidate while holding such a position would compromise impartiality.