Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) has announced the temporary results of its leadership elections, after addressing concerns raised by Mohamed Aslam, a contestant for vice presidency. The permanent result of the elections will be announced within 7 days, according to MDP.
Secretary General of MDP Anas Abdul Sattar said the party secretariat received 11 complaints from Aslam regarding the elections. He said the temporary results have been issued after addressing all 11 concerns in writing. Aslam submitted concerns to the secretariat stating he does not accept the results of the election.
25,102 party members voted in the election to appoint the president and the vice president of largest party in the country. Mohamed Nasheed received 24,202 votes in favour, to be re-elected as the president.
Although Mohamed Shifaz won the election with a difference of 2,975 votes, the vice presidency contest was competitive from the very beginning of the campaign. Shifaz was re-elected for the position with 13,815 votes, while Aslam received 10,840 votes.
In response to comments of the opposition leader, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, on the number of MDP members and voter turn-out, Anas said no election is ever participated by all members of the party. He said if such is the case, the presidential election will see the entire Maldives voting. He said the party receives such remarks as the opposition cannot absorb the huge number of party members as MDP is the largest party in the Maldives.