News

MDA awards tickets to eight contestants for parliamentary polls

Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) has awarded party tickets to eight candidates to represent the party in the upcoming parliamentary election slated for April.

Among those awarded tickets include party leader and prominent business man, Ahmed Siyam, who will be competing for Meedhoo constituency of Dhaalu atoll and current MP for Kendhokulhdhoo constituency and deputy leader of the party, Ali Mauroof. The current Kudahuvadhoo MP Ahmed Amir will also be re-contesting for his seat.

Former Chairman of STO Ahmed Salim was granted a ticket to contest for Hulhudhoo constituency while Deputy leader of the party Aishath Rafiyya will contest for the Maafannu west seat on behalf of the party.
Manadhoo constituency ticket was awarded to Ahmed Aslam, while Mohamed Adam will be contesting for Dhuvaafaru constituency and Mohamed Abbas for Velidhoo constituency.

It has been reported that there is some discontentment among MDA members on how the tickets were awarded. Youth wing President of the party, Ahmed Reehan who was targeting to contest for Ungoofaaru constituency has reportedly left the party over displeasure of not having been awarded a party ticket, in addition to four council members.

MDA was in an alliance with former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom's government before backing out at the last minute,just ahead of the 2018 presidential election. The party has not formed an alliance with either the ruling or the opposing coalition since then.