MDP awards ticket to Shujau Ali for V. Thinadhoo Council President by-election

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has awarded its ticket to Shujau Ali for the by-election to elect the President of V. Thinadhoo Council. The by-election will be held on November 28. Shujau Ali was the only candidate to apply during the open primary, securing the MDP nomination. The by-election follows a decision by the Local Government Authority (LGA) that Shujau Ali’s seat as President of V. Thinadhoo Council was lost. Shujau had contested the local council election on the ticket of The Democrats. However, after the Elections Commission announced the dissolution of The Democrats on April 11, 2026, due to the party not having the legally required number of members, Shujau said he joined MDP. The LGA ruled that his seat was lost, making him the first councillor to lose his seat by joining a party other than the one he was elected with.