Parliamentary primary elections for Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has commenced on Friday.
The election will decide which members of the main-ruling party will be representing the party in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Voting is ongoing in both Maldives and abroad. Ballot boxes have been placed in India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
Polling stations will be open from 2:30pm to 8:30pm, Maldives time. 280 candidates are running in the MDP primaries for 86 out of 87 constituencies. 86,091 members are eligible to vote and total of 270 ballot boxes have been placed for the election.
Candidates who applied for nine constituencies secured tickets without a primary as only one candidate applied for the respective constituencies. The uncontested constituencies are Hoarafushi, Baarah, Dhidhdhoo, Milandhoo, Alifushi, Mahibadhoo, Fuvahmulah North, Galolhu North and Maafaanu North.No candidates have applied to contest for Nilandhoo constituency.
Former president and party leader, Mohamed Nasheed, MDP Chairperson, Hassan Latheef and several other top officials of the party are taking part in the crunch primary.
MDP members voting in a previous primary - Photo: Moosa / AVAS
