Meekail argues that a faction‑backed leader will paralyse the party ahead of the next presidential race

Meekail Ahmed Naseem, who is contesting for the post of MDP Chairman, has warned that if a person aligned with a particular presidential candidate is elected to the post, the party risks falling back into division and losing the next presidential election.

In a letter sent to MDP members, Meekail said members remain disappointed with the results of the last presidential and parliamentary elections, and believe the relationship between the party’s leadership and grassroots has deteriorated.

He wrote that internal factionalism and the perception that some leaders prioritise personal interests have weakened the party’s ability to make the right decisions and affected members’ morale.

Even so, Meekail noted that the MDP secured a major victory in last month’s local council elections and the two by‑elections held on the same day, a result he said demonstrated what the party can achieve when united.

އެމް.ޑީ.ޕީ ގެ އެންމެހާ ލޮބުވެތި މެންބަރުންނަށް އަޅުގަނޑުގެ ސިޓީއެއް.#Ithubaaru#Badhahikan#Meekail4CP pic.twitter.com/FY3YE64Z18

— Meekail Naseem (@MickailNaseem) May 7, 2026

Without naming former President Mohamed Nasheed or former MDP Chairman Fayyaz Ismail, Meekail wrote that electing a chairman who openly supports a particular presidential candidate would leave the party divided, paralysed and at risk of losing the next presidential election.

Meekail assured members that if elected chairman, he would strengthen the party’s ranks and begin preparations for the presidential election immediately. He wrote that he is committed to leading the MDP to victory.

Three candidates are contesting the MDP chairmanship: Nasheed, Meekail and Ibrahim Mohamed (Waddey).

Of the three, Nasheed and Meekail are actively campaigning. Fayyaz is working alongside Nasheed, while many MDP MPs and former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih are backing Meekail.

The MDP has announced that the chairmanship election will be held on June 12. However, a case has been filed in the Civil Court seeking to annul the announcement and timeline, alleging that the election was declared in violation of the MDP Constitution.