Monday
25th Nov 2024
Dhivehi Edition
Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail has beaten North Maafannu Constituency Member of Parliament Imthiyaz Fahmy for the chairperson position in Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) internal elections.
With over 100 boxes counted, Minister Fayyaz has 17,019 votes while MP Imthiyaz has won 11,566 votes.
Two months of hotly contested campaign had taken prior to the vote. MP Imthiyaz’s faction had accused Minister Fayyaz’s camp of abusing state resources to drum up votes. They allege that government jobs, cash grants, and threats had been given in exchange for votes.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had backed Minister Fayyaz for the slot, while former President Mohamed Nasheed backed MP Imthiyaz. This had led to speculation that this was a showdown of the two Presidents.