Former Maldivian Democratic Party chairperson Fayyaz Ismail has arrived in Addu City to campaign ahead of the party’s presidential primary.
He was welcomed at the airport and is expected to remain for eight days. The visit includes door-to-door outreach and a policy workshop focused on the party’s “Big Change” platform.
Four candidates are contesting the MDP presidential ticket: Fayyaz Ismail, former president Abdulla Shahid, former vice-president Faisal Naseem, and current Hulhumalé South MP Dr Ahmed Shamheed. Faisal Naseem was the first to announce a running mate, naming current Male’ mayor Adam Azim.
No date has yet been set for the primary. The party has been preparing for the contest amid broader discussions about decentralisation and governance reforms.
Fayyaz’s trip to the southern atoll is seen as an attempt to strengthen support in a region that has been important in previous elections. Party officials have not released a detailed schedule beyond the planned policy sessions and local meetings.
The MDP primary will determine the party’s candidate for the next presidential election. Campaign activity is expected to intensify across the country in the coming weeks.
