Abdulla Shahid, a prominent Maldivian politician and former President of the 76th United Nations General Assembly and former Foreign Minister of Maldives has declared his candidacy for the presidency of MDP.

The announcement was made through a post on social media platform X, where Shahid expressed his commitment to lead the party towards a future of unity, progress, and realization of the collective aspirations of the Maldivian people.

In his post, Shahid stated, "Seeking strength from Allah SWT, I have decided to put forward my candidature for the Presidency of Maldivian Democratic Party."

The move to compete for the MDP presidency comes at a crucial time for the party.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed held the MDP leadership until June 21, 2023, after which former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih assumed the position.

However, following his loss in the presidential elections, Solih became the temporary leader.

The recent decision by Abdulla Shahid to vie for the presidency indicates a shifting landscape within the party.

It is noteworthy that the elections for the MDP presidency, originally scheduled to take place after Ramadan and subsequent to the parliament elections, have been preponed.

The accelerated timeline adds an element of urgency to the race, heightening the significance of Shahid's candidacy and potentially reshaping the trajectory of the party's leadership.