The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) President Abdulla Shahid has advised the National Council to hold another session to elect the interim Chairperson.

The last session of the National Council on Friday was adjourned after heated debates. The chair announced that Abdullah Waheed had been elected, but later retracted the statement.

“I advise you to continue the work after arranging the session of the National Council,” Shahid said in a letter to the Deputy Chairperson.

"At this juncture, the local council elections are very close, and I sincerely urge you not to act in a manner that would harm the internal interests of the party and not to give such an opportunity to anyone."

Abdullah Waheed received 47 votes in the National Council session on Friday. There were 96 members at the session, including the chair. This means a minimum of 48 votes is required to be elected. The session was chaired by Deputy Chairperson Ibrahim Waheed.

Shahid's letter also noted that the session had to be adjourned because of Ibrahim Waheed's actions.

The MDP Chairperson post became vacant after former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail resigned last week..