Nasheed calls on MDP to back PNF, and PNF to back MDP

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed has called on members of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s People’s National Front (PNF) to vote for candidates from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), and for members of his own party to return the favor, when it comes to seats in the upcoming Local Council Elections that the parties do not have their own candidates contesting for.

Nasheed, who is on a campaign trail in the atolls, made the appeal on Tuesday during a visit to GDh. Hoadedhdhoo.

During his visit, Nasheed met with Shakeeba Abdulla, an independent contesting for the Hoadedhdhoo Women’s Development Committee (WDC) with PNF’s endorsement, and asked people to vote for her.

He then appealed for PNF members in islands the party is not contesting in, to vote for MDP candidates.

“I am sure that, MDP members and supporters will, likewise, In Sha Allah, vote for PNF candidates where MDP is not contesting. In Sha Allah, we will win this election together,” he said.

PNF aai MDP pic.twitter.com/juqAs3rbcj

— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) March 31, 2026

The appeal comes after Yameen, during a recent PNF rally, said that it was high time to seek ‘Aneh Dhivehiraajje’, which loosely translates to ‘Another Maldives’ – a campaign slogan used by the MDP during Nasheed’s administration. Yameen said he is open to supporting all candidates, except for those contesting from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).