The current Mayor of Malé City, Adam Azim, has been suspended from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) as a candidate for the upcoming local council elections. He was suspended alongside Ali Azim, a former member of the party’s National Council.

A total of 154 candidates were approved in this primary. The MDP also stated that a significant number of people have registered to vote in various institutions in Malé.

In this election, a total of 65 votes were rejected, with 14 rejected specifically from the atolls and 17 rejected specifically from institutions in Malé. In addition, the MDP noted that 34 votes were rejected from outside Malé.

Background: The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is one of the major political parties in the Maldives. Local council elections determine leadership for city and island administrations, and party primaries are internal contests to select official candidates. Adam Azim is the incumbent mayor of the capital, Malé City.