Maldivian politics has become a contest of personalities. It needs to be a contest of principles.

Yet, there is an uncomfortable truth that those of us in the opposition need to come to terms with. The population at large is increasingly disengaged from politics. They do not trust politicians. They may have chosen to vote in the recent election to voice their opposition to the corruption, cronyism and economic mismanagement that is plain to see. But they are sceptical about what may come next. Right now, people feel that political parties are inward facing entities consumed by petty internal rivalries and not the big questions that face society as a whole.

Political leaders need to engage with voters and demonstrate that we are in tune with their needs and can build a better future that meets their aspirations. Therein lies the challenge. I’m running to be chairperson of the Maldivian Democratic Party because I believe I can use this platform to introduce a new type of politics. A politics based on principles is what will unite the party and ensure we return to government in 2028.

My political career began in the wake of a traumatic moment in the country’s history – the February 7, 2012 coup d’état. The story of how I was expelled from school and the government withdrew funding for my scholarship to study overseas after I spoke at a rally against the coup is well documented. 

But my decision to run for party chair is rooted in another significant moment. That’s when MDP lost the 2023 election following a split in our party where a breakaway faction took seven percent of the vote. Many party members are still unable to move past these events as the bitterness lingers. The general public saw this as a split that arose due to a conflict between individual leaders. Unless we address this, people will always look at political activity as part of nefarious "deals" between self-interested individuals. That’s why we need a new politics based on principles. Not one of deals where today’s enemies could be tomorrow’s friends. As a party, we need to move beyond the issues that split us in 2023 and regain our unity of spirit and purpose. 

As MDP chairperson I will deliver three key things that will restore trust. First, I will ensure there is a free and fair primary through which we elect our presidential candidate. Our political system requires a neutral chairperson to deliver this. A chairperson who favours one particular candidate in an election they are meant to oversee is inherently compromised. I will be a chairperson that mobilises our party behind our presidential nominee, whoever that might be.

Second, I will take immediate measures to strengthen the party as an institution and ensure we are match fit to compete in and win the 2028 election. I will convene a party congress and amend our 20-year-old structure to bring it up to date with modern campaigning requirements. I will ensure financial transparency and rebuild the trust of our membership. 

Third, I will ensure the party facilitates the emergence of the next generation of political leaders. I will allocate budgets for our youth wing and women’s wing so that they are stronger organs of our party. The youth composition in the country is 40 percent, yet is just 18 percent within our party. If we are to speak to the needs of Maldivian society, our party needs to better represent the country’s demographic make-up.  

The chairperson election presents MDP with a unique opportunity. We know that, as a party, we need to move beyond the fight between personalities that is turning so many people off politics. This is the message I am hearing loud and clear on the campaign trail. 

Almost 21 years since the party was founded, we are back to square one. We are back to having to defend our most fundamental rights. In order to get the country back on track, our party needs to move forward. I believe MDP is ready to meet the needs of this moment and rebuild trust with the population at large. That is how we will win the 2028 presidential election and change our country for the better.