The main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has not yet decided on a date for its presidential primary, the party has said.
MDP's comments regarding its primary come while some local media reported that the party has postponed its presidential primary to early next year after initially scheduling the primary for this December.
MDP's Spokesperson and State Minister at the Finance Ministry, Anas Abdul Sattar, said the date of the primary would be announced after the necessary administrative procedures are completed. The party did not give a specific date for the completion of the administrative work.
A senior MDP official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AVAS that the primary will be announced such that candidates will get two months to campaign.
"That's what we've done in the past. That's how we'll do it in the next election," he said.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced his intention to contest in the party primary to secure a second term as the president. The party's President and Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed is also expected to contest the primary.
The only candidate who has received a party ticket thus far to contest next year's presidential election is former President Abdulla Yameen, who will be contesting the election on a PPM ticket. The Maldives National Party (MNP) and Jumhooree Party (JP) have also said they will contest the election.
