Shafeeq Says MDP Election Panel Stacked With Azim Loyalists

MDP founding member Ahmed Shafeeq has accused the party’s Primary Election Committee of including individuals who are openly campaigning for Malé Mayor Adam Azim.

Shafeeq said the party’s internal processes must be conducted according to democratic principles and established rules. Instead, he argued, the committee includes individuals who draw substantial salaries — about MVR 35,000 — from Mayor Azim’s office while simultaneously working to advance his candidacy. Among those he named were former MP Falah, Kudahuvadhoo constituency president Shathir Abdul Rahman, and Muizzu.

“It is unacceptable for an election committee with such members to conduct the MDP mayoral primary,” Shafeeq said.

He added that those with clear personal or political interests should step aside “for the time being” to safeguard the integrity of the party’s internal processes. This, he said, is necessary for the party’s institutional health.

“CP MP Ghafoor should fix this as soon as possible. This is a big joke that does not belong to the MDP,” he said.