MDP seeks to hold extraordinary congress

Main opposition MDP is seeking to hold an extraordinary congress.

MDP’s Deputy Chairperson Ibrahim Waheed (Iburey) said the matter of holding an extraordinary congress will be proposed during the party’s National Council meeting scheduled for Saturday including establishing a special committee tasked with making arrangements for the congress.

MDP’s congress will include the party’s National Council members, chairpersons of permanent committees, presidents and vice presidents of the women’s and youth’s wings, and party members holding electoral posts.

Notably, efforts to hold an extraordinary congress has been initiated after MDP’s Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail concurred with former president Mohamed Nasheed’s remarks that it was at the nation’s best interest at present for MDP and The Democrats – a political party formed by a breakaway faction from the MDP – to work together.

Moreover, competition within MDP for the presidential ticket in the next election has grown more intense.

According to MDP’s Articles of Association, the party must hold a congress once every five years. However, an extraordinary congress can be held at any time.

MDP last held a congress in 2022. The congress was held amid heightened tension between the party’s former leader, Nasheed and then-president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih over ideological differences.

The congress marks MDP’s biggest political event. According to the MDP’s Articles of Association, the congress is the highest authority within the party.