A total of 154 candidates will contest the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) primary for next year’s local council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections.
The MDP is preparing to hold its primary on January 16, and has now announced the full list of candidates.
According to the party, 154 candidates from 30 islands, including the five islands designated as cities, have filed to contest the primary.  
Of these:
129 candidates are contesting for local council seats  
23 candidates are contesting for WDC seats
Some candidates have secured MDP tickets without going through the primary. Sun attempted to obtain further details, but was unsuccessful.
This year’s primary has seen intense competition for MDP tickets, with internal rivalry giving rise to two factions within the party, one aligned with former President Mohamed Nasheed and the other with former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Despite the divide, Solih said on Monday that he expects to meet Nasheed soon, adding that the two will work together to secure victory in the upcoming local council elections.
The local council elections are scheduled for April 4.