Chairman’s authority strengthened as MDP passes major structural reforms

The ruling MDP has amended its constitution to prohibit the party chairman from contesting internal elections or engaging in campaigning. 

The amendments, proposed by former MDP chairman Fayyaz Ismail, were passed on Saturday evening with 546 out of 565 delegates voting in favour during the MDP Congress.

Among the changes approved are provisions barring MDP office employees from contesting internal elections or campaigning. Administrative staff who wish to run in an internal election must notify the chairman at least one month in advance. The committee responsible for planning and conducting elections will have the authority to temporarily suspend an employee if concerns arise regarding the fairness of the election.

As a result, the party’s chairman and deputy chairman will no longer be able to contest internal elections or participate in campaigning, and the chairman will be barred from influencing internal electoral processes.

އެމްޑީޕީ 5 ވަނަ ކޮންގުރެސް https://t.co/MSPGsMTmZP

— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) October 3, 2026

The amendments also include removing the sitting President from being the party’s leader if he is an MDP member, abolishing the posts of party president and vice-president, and prohibiting the chairman from holding any state-paid position. Delegates also approved the creation of a deputy chairman post, increasing the number of political deputy chairpersons, and ensuring that one vice-chairperson is a woman.

The MDP remains the second-largest political party in the Maldives, with 55,399 registered members, according to the Election Commission.