Hanimaadhoo added to the list of islands holding MDP primaries

Hdh. Hanimaadhoo has been added to the list of islands where the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) will hold primaries to select candidates for the upcoming 2026 Local Council Elections and the Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections.

Yesterday, the MDP released the permanent list of candidates contesting the primaries to secure the party’s ticket for these elections. According to the list released yesterday, primaries in the Boduthiladhunmathi region were initially scheduled for only four islands: Ha. Dhidhdhoo, Filladhoo, Hdh. Nellaidhoo, and Foakaidhoo.

However, Hdh. Hanimaadhoo was added to this list today. The MDP primary in Hanimaadhoo is being held to determine the candidate for the position of Council President. According to the updated list, two individuals have applied for the MDP ticket to contest for the Hanimaadhoo Council Presidency: the current Council President, Abdulsattar Hassan, and current Council Member, Ali Ibrahim.

Among those who have already secured the MDP ticket to contest for the Hanimaadhoo Council are two other sitting members: current Vice President Firag Mohamed and Council Member Haritha Mohamed. With the exception of Haritha, Abdulsattar, Ali, and Firag are all currently serving their council terms on MDP tickets. Haritha was elected to the current council term as a member of the Jumhooree Party (JP).

A total of 681 individuals will be elected to each body—the Local Councils and the Women’s Development Committees—in the elections scheduled for April 4th. This brings the total number of elected representatives across both elections to 1,362.

While the MDP has scheduled its primaries for January 16th, the ruling party, PNC, conducted its primaries yesterday.