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Maldivian Democratic Party

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Maldivian Democratic Party
PresidentMohamed Nasheed
ChairpersonHassan Latheef
Vice PresidentMohamed Shifaz
Parliament LeaderIbrahim Mohamed Solih
PresidentVacant
FoundedNovember 10, 2003 (2003-11-10)
Headquarters1st Floor, H.Sharaashaa, Malé, Maldives
Youth wingMDP Youth Wing
Membership29277 (updated in June 2018)[1]
IdeologyLiberal conservatism
Environmentalism
Secularism
Political positionCentre[2]
International affiliationInternational Democrat Union
Majlis of the Maldives
31 / 85
Website
mdp.org.mv

Membership Updated 30 June 2018

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is the first political party formed in the Republic of Maldives with a total membership of 29,277 individuals. It is a party with its stated goal being the promotion of human rights and democracy in the Maldives. This party won the first ever multi-party elections in the Maldives with the support from all the other political parties in the 2008 elections against the former dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. The Maldivian Democratic Party failed in the first two rounds of the 2008 presidential elections and called for a coalition for change against the then dictator. All the Political Parties joined the alliance of national unity and won the election.

History

There had not been political parties in the Maldives since 1952. The MDP initially submitted its registration on February 24, 2001. In 2001 MDPs first president was Mr. Gasim Ibrahim (Republican Party Leader.) Although the Maldivian Constitution allows political parties to operate, the MDP's application was rebuffed. After the people fighting for their rights on the street and the death of Evan Naseem, MDP declared its existence in exile from Sri Lanka on November 10, 2003. Initially, it was formed by a group of 42 people, which included members of parliament, a former cabinet minister and leading businessmen. Members on its first general council were elected on February 13, 2004. Although the MDP was not recognized by the Maldivian government, it began operating in Maldives on April 30, 2005.

In June 2, 2005, the members of the People's Majlis unanimously voted to legally recognize political parties. The MDP subsequently submitted its registration on June 26, 2005 becoming the first political party to be registered in the Second Republic of Maldives.[3]

MDP rally on the streets of Malé during the presidential election campaigns of 2008

Throughout 2006, the opposition faced restrictions on freedom of assembly, and the government continued to arrest opposition activists. In March 2006, the government introduced a "Roadmap for Reform" and subsequently introduced several bills in parliament. In August 2007, voters decided via referendum that the Maldives' new constitution should provide for a presidential system of government (vice parliamentary). The special Majlis completed its work and the new constitution took effect in August 2008.

In accordance with the new constitution ratified by then-President Gayoom on August 7, 2008, the first round of presidential elections was held on October 10, 2008. As no candidate received 50% of the vote, a second round was held on October 29 between President Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed. Nasheed won with 54% of the vote.

At the first multi-party parliamentary elections in Maldives, on May 9, 2009, the MDP won 34% of the seats which is 26 out of the 77 seats in the parliament becoming the party to win the second most number of seats. However, in case of number of votes, MDP gained the most number of votes with 35.3% of the votes (50,562 votes) which is a 10.39% increase from the first round of 2008 Presidential Elections when MDP was allied with other parties. From the elections DRP gained 27.5% of the votes (39,399 votes) which is a 12.5% decrease from the first round of 2008 Presidential Elections.

Election Results

President

Year Candidate 1st Round 2nd Round Result
President Vice President Votes Vote % Votes Vote %
2008 Mohamed Nasheed Mohammed Waheed Hassan 44,293 24.91 97,222 53.65 Won
2013 Mohamed Nasheed Mustafa Lutfi 95,224 45.45 N/A Annulled
96,764 46.93 105,181 48.61 Lost
2018 Ibrahim Mohamed Solih Faisal Naseem 126,481 58.16 N/A Won

People's Majlis

Year Party Leader Votes Vote % Seats Notes
2005 none 68,931 31.10
18 / 42
Ran as independents endorsed by MDP
2009 Mohamed Nasheed 51,184 30.81
26 / 77
2014 Mohamed Nasheed 75,670 40.78
36 / 85

References

  1. ^ http://www.elections.gov.mv/mdp-2.html
  2. ^ WION (26 August 2017). "Global Leadership Series: WION interviews Mohamed Nasheed". Retrieved 17 September 2018 – via YouTube.
  3. ^ "Elections Commission". Elections.gov.mv. Archived from the original on 2012-03-05. Retrieved 2012-05-07. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)