Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Saturday held party primaries for next year's local council elections and to elect candidates that would contest the polls on the party ticket.
MDP deputy chairperson Ali Niyaz said the primaries were held in 51 constituencies while primaries were not needed in some constituencies due to single candidate applications.
MDP's primaries were held from 2:30 to 9:00 PM Friday. The opposition party said that it would be competing for 506 posts, which include 435 island council posts, 51 atoll council posts and 20 city council posts.
MDP is competing in the Local Council Elections through a coalition with religiously conservative Adhaalath Party (AP).
Adhaalath party is competing for 147 different posts, which consist of 128 island council posts, 16 atoll council posts and three city council posts.
With the joint efforts of both parties, MDP is competing for 77 percent of the total 655 seats, and Adhaalath is competing for the remaining 23 percent.
