Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has decided to hold the presidential primaries in October.
Some members of MDP have expressed interest in receiving the main ruling party’s ticket to contest in the presidential election 2023, including President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. At the MDP Congress, President Solih called on all party members to focus on the upcoming presidential election, adding that no party would be able to compete with MDP.
The main ruling party stated that it will open nominations for the presidential primaries in September in order to hold the election in October. The party has not yet announced the specific date for the primaries but is working to elect its candidate and quickly begin the presidential election campaign.
Meanwhile, the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) has awarded its presidential ticket to former President Abdulla Yameen. PPM made the decision to award the ticket for the presidential election after its Senate chose Yameen to be the presidential candidate representing the opposition coalition consisting of PPM and the People's National Congress (PNC).
Additionally, Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has announced that its ticket for the presidential election has been awarded to party leader Abdulla Jabir, while Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) has chosen its party leader Ahmed Siyam Mohamed as its candidate for next year's election.
The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has set a USD7.8 million budget for the 2023 presidential election after taking into account a situation in which two rounds might have to be held.