Former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has secured the presidency of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) as the sole contender for the post.
MDP, with about 50,000 members, is the largest opposition party in the country and has the best election track record amongst all the political parties.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed was the MDP's President till June 21, 2023. Following his resignation from the party, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was appointed as the interim President by the MDP national council.
In an announcement on Tuesday, MDP said that Shahid has secured the party's presidency as he was the sole contender for the post by the deadline.
Previously, MDP had rules that forced a vote even if there was one candidate for the post of party President. But the rules were changed in 2022 which meant that a vote does not need to be held if there is a single candidate.
As one of the closest ministers to President Solih in the last MDP government, Shahid played important roles in the MDP leadership.
He also served as the President of the 76th United Nations General Assembly between 2021 and 2022 which is highlighted as the biggest achievement of the former government in the international arena.
Shahid first served as the Foreign Minister in 2007 during the government of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
