Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb and Henveiru South MP Hussain 'Andhun' Shaheem will face off against each other on February 28, in the second round of voting for the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s Deputy Parliamentary Group Leader position.
MDP held its Parliamentary Group election last Friday, in which Alifushi MP Mohamed Rasheed 'Bigey' Hussain contested against Labeeb and Shaheem for the deputy PG leader position. While Bigey came out on top, Ilyas and Shaheem tied at 34 votes each. The party said a second round of voting would be held to elect a second Deputy leader on February 28. Voting will be open for two hours, from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm.
Some believe Ilyas to be a close aide of Speaker of the Parliament and former President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed, while Hussain is believed to be close to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
In Friday's vote, MDP's Parliamentary Group Leader, PG Secretary-General, Chief Whip, and whips were also elected. Hithadhoo North MP Mohamed Aslam was elected as Parliamentary Group leader, while Fuvahmulah Central MP Hussain Mohamed Didi was elected as the PG Secretary-General. Thinadhoo MP Abdul Mugnee was elected as the Chief whip, and Komandoo MP Mohamed Rashid, Vaikaradhoo MP Hassan Ziyad, Ihavandhoo MP Mohamed Shifau, Macchangolhi South MP Ahmed Haitham, and Fonadhoo MP Ali Siraj were elected as whips. One more whip position remains vacant, and application is now open for the position.
