Nasheed wins MDP primary without competition

According to cleared results of the presidential primary of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Mohamed Nasheed, the only contestant in the primary, has won it.

Former President has obtained more than 5000 votes in the primary, according to Ahmed Akram, the Deputy Secretary General of MDP.

According to the constitution of MDP, a lone-contestant in any party election is required only to win at least 10 per cent of the eligible voters in order to win an election. Since the total number of eligible voting members of MDP is 48451, a contestant needs to win only 4845.

With the win, former President Mohamed Nasheed would again run for the Presidential elections set to take place in the year 2013.

Together with the presidential primary, MDP also conducted elections to elect individuals for other party positions. Voting started yesterday at 9 o’clock in the morning, and went on until 7 pm.

In the elections, Moosa “Reeko” Manik won more than 10 per cent of the votes as well, to become the Chairperson of the party. He, again, was the only contestant competing for the position. Moosa, one of the closest allies of Nasheed, has held the position of Chairperson of MDP without being elected for the position, and allegedly in violation of the party constitution, for a long time.

Ali Shiyam, who was the only contestant for the position of Deputy Chairperson, was also elected, as he too won more than 10 per cent of the votes.