Maldivian Democratic Party

Maldivian Democratic Party
ދިވެހިރައްޔިތުންގެ ޑިމޮކްރެޓިކް ޕާޓީ
President Mohamed Nasheed
Chairperson Hassan Latheef
Vice President Mohamed Shifaz
Parliament Leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Founded 10 November 2003 (2003-11-10)
Headquarters 1st Floor, H.Sharaashaa, Malé, Maldives
Youth wing MDP Youth Wing
Membership 29277 (updated in June 2018)[1]
Ideology Liberal conservatism
Environmentalism
Parliamentarism
Political position Centre-right[2]
International affiliation International Democrat Union
Majlis of the Maldives
31 / 85
Website
mdp.org.mv
Membership Updated 30 June 2018

The Maldivian Democratic Party (Dhivehi: ދިވެހިރައްޔިތުންގެ ޑިމޮކްރެޓިކް ޕާޓީ, Dhivehira yitunge dimokretik pati; MDP) is the first political party formed in the Republic of Maldives with a total membership of 29277 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 Abdul Gayoom. 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 24 February 2001. In 2001, the party's first president was Qasim Ibrahim. 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 10 November 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 13 February 2004. Although the MDP was not recognized by the Maldivian government, it began operating in Maldives on 30 April 2005.

In 2 June 2005, the members of the People's Majlis unanimously voted to legally recognize political parties. The MDP subsequently submitted its registration on 26 June 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 7 August 2008, the first round of presidential elections was held on 10 October 2008. As no candidate received 50% of the vote, a second round was held on 29 October between President Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed. Nasheed won with 54% of the vote.

At the first multi-party parliamentary elections in Maldives, on 9 May 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 134,616 58.34 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
26 / 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.
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