Jumhooree Party (JP) has commenced its fourth National Assembly.
The conference was inaugurated by the Leader of JP Qasim Ibrahim. It was attended by leaders of various political parties, ambassadors, and officials from the Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM).
Speaking at the inauguration of the conference, Qasim said the conference will take important decisions for the party's future. He said JP plays an important role in the life of democracy in the Maldives. In addition, he said politicians should be able to face many challenges and in turn face many successes. He also said that going to jail and political defeat are not reasons to seek revenge and that everything should be done with good intentions. The National Assembly is held from February 24-25 at the Dharubaaruge convention centre.
The national assembly approved the proposed amendments to the JP Constitution. Voting among the party council and candidates for various posts will be held during the conference, according to the agenda. However, some candidates expressed concern over the absence of photographs on the ballot papers. The conference is scheduled to debate and vote on the resolution on JP's decision on the upcoming presidential election.
During the conference, members from JP were elected without a vote. According to the JP Constitution, if one candidate runs for an elective post they will be elected without a vote. As such, the party elected Qasim as its leader among those elected to various positions without a vote. Abdulla Yameen was elected as the President of the Youth League, Shuaib Shifaz Shareef as the Vice President of the Youth League and Aishath Shuza Ahmed as the Secretary of the Women's League.
Additionally, the vice leader post is the most contested with a total of five candidates scheduled to be appointed as the party's vice leaders. The posts of president and vice president of JP have also been abolished by a majority of the members present at the conference. Former Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed was the president of JP before the abolition of these posts and Ahmed Saud was the vice president. Following the abolition of these positions, the party leader is currently the most senior person in the party. The leader will be followed by five deputy leaders.