The MDP's membership reached 50,000 after approximately 4,876 people joined the party on the day candidacy opened for the chairperson election. The surge was driven by competing factions rushing to register supporters before the voter eligibility cutoff, which was set at midnight on the day applications opened. Former President Nasheed, who is contesting the chairperson seat against Galolhu South MP Meekail Naseem, accused the party's interim leadership of deliberately shortening the registration window to block new members, though the party's National Council had previously resolved to hold internal elections a week after the local council results. The chair of MDP's elections committee Mohamed Falaah stepped down from the role and openly joined Meekail's campaign, but denied claims that he had re-shared Meekail's campaign posts while serving on the committee. Voting for the chairperson election is scheduled for June 12, with candidacy open until May 2.
Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihsaan denied police are conducting any criminal investigation into Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim. Speaking at a press conference, Ihsaan told reporters their sources were unreliable and that no such investigation exists. The denial follows Nazim's removal from two powerful parliamentary committees earlier this week amid speculation about a criminal probe against him.
Ihsaan also released a timeline of events surrounding the death of an 18-year-old MNU dormitory student, denying social media claims that she had repeatedly called police and the Family and Children Service Centre for help. According to the timeline, the student messaged police victim support at 8:40 PM saying she was "so close to giving up", exchanged several messages with officers, then went quiet until 12:38 AM when she sent a message saying "I'm gone". Police were dispatched at 1:03 AM, entered the dormitory at 1:08 AM, and found her at 1:32 AM. Ihsaan confirmed she had not called 911 or FCPD, and said police conduct in handling the case will be reviewed.
Construction Minister Dr. Abdullah Muththalib warned that key government projects - including the Vilimalé bridge and land reclamation works - will miss their deadlines due to rising fuel costs and construction material shortages linked to the Middle East conflict. The bridge, originally due for completion this year, is now expected to be finished in late 2027, with the government opting to support the Indian contractor rather than replace them to avoid further delays. Over 50 percent of the Rasmalé reclamation is complete, though that timeline may also shift. The minister said no projects will be halted, only rescheduled, and that the situation is beyond the government's control.
Ahmed Ashfan was transferred from his post as deputy controller of immigration to a deputy minister position at the Ministry of Youth, as part of a broader reshuffle following the ruling party's poor showing in this month's local council elections. Ashfan, who spent 18 years at Immigration before being appointed deputy controller in April 2024, is also a former national football player and the brother of Ali Ashfaq, widely regarded as the Maldives' greatest ever footballer.
Following the abolition of the Ministry of Cities and the transfer of its responsibilities to the finance ministry, President Muizzu appointed finance minister Moosa Zameer as chair of the Local Government Authority board. Zameer replaces former cities minister Adam Shareef in the role.
The MDP's appeals tribunal ordered the party to void its announcement of a June 12 chairperson election, ruling that the notice was issued without the tribunal president's authorisation as required under party statutes. The ruling comes amid a broader power struggle, with former President Nasheed and ex-chair Fayyaz Ismail objecting to the election timeline - particularly a membership cutoff date that excluded thousands of new members, with some allegedly transferred to PNC without their knowledge. Notably, the tribunal president who issued the ruling is the brother-in-law of Fayyaz Ismail, who backs Nasheed's chairperson bid.
The Maldives repaid the Reserve Bank of India's $400 million currency swap facility after failing to secure a third extension, while India simultaneously released a new INR 30 billion swap under a bilateral agreement signed during President Muizzu's state visit in October 2024. The foreign ministry says the new facility will help cushion the economy from global pressures, particularly disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict.