Tuesday 29 Sep 2026
Sun Poll: Shahid leads poll to gauge which candidate is considered most capable of representing MDP in the upcoming presidential election as votes near 50,000-mark with six days left. (Sun Graphics)
There is growing controversy within the opposition MDP over the legality of its upcoming congress.
The party has been at odds internally over how the congress is being organised, with some members claiming it is being held in violation of the MDP constitution.
In a post on social media, former Baarah MP Ahmed Abdulla said the current MDP National Assembly members were elected until last Saturday, and that the Assembly would have “no legal status” after that date.
Mihaaru mioiy @MDPSecretariat ge gaumee majleehah membarun hovaafa vanee 25 September 2026 aa hamayah 5 aharuge muhdhathah. Edhuvahuve fahun mihaatuge Gm ge gaanoonee haisiyyatheh noannaane.
— Ahmed Abdulla (@ahmedabdulla2a) September 21, 2026
A senior party member told Sun that many within the MDP are unhappy with the decision to proceed with the congress under these circumstances.
“We keep hearing rumours that the 20th Parliament wants to extend its term. The MDP is completely against that. But today the MDP itself is trying to hold a congress illegally, isn’t it?” he said.
He also alleged that several MDP branches have been appointed in violation of the party’s constitution.
However, when asked by Sun, MDP Deputy Chairman Mohamed Shifaz said anything decided by the MDP National Assembly would not violate the party’s constitution. He said the term of the current Assembly has been extended until the end of the congress.
The last MDP congress was held in 2022. Attempts to hold a congress since then were postponed and rescheduled.
The MDP congress is a key meeting to decide major issues related to the party’s future and its presidential ticket for the 2028 election.
Four candidates are already running for the MDP presidential ticket: former Vice President Faisal Naseem, former MDP President Abdulla Shahid, former MDP Chairman Fayyaz Ismail, and Hulhumale’ South MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed.
Shahid recently resigned as MDP President to contest the ticket. Fayyaz is running with the support of current MDP Chairman and former President Mohamed Nasheed. Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is backing Faisal.
The competition for the MDP ticket comes as the ruling PNC has already decided its candidate. President Muizzu was granted a second term without a vote and has announced he will contest the presidential election.
