Former Chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Fayyaz Ismail has announced his support for Ali Azim in the primary for the mayoral ticket.

Fayyaz officially joined Ali Azim’s campaign on Tuesday. A large number of Azim's supporters attended the meeting held in Male'.

At the meeting, Fayyaz said Ali Azim is an MDP candidate who will bring the feeling of having an MDP mayor to the MDP members.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has also expressed his support for Ali Azim in the mayoral primary. However, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has not yet announced support for either of the candidates.

Incumbent Mayor Adam Azim and former MP Ali Azim are contesting the primary for the opposition party's mayoral candidate.

The local council elections are scheduled for March next year. The MDP has not yet announced a date for voting in the primary.