Many are hailing Abdulla Shahid’s resignation from the MDP presidency as a rare democratic example in the Maldivian political arena. The former Party President stepped down from the party’s top post upon deciding to contest the MDP presidential primary to select the party’s candidate for the upcoming presidential election — a beautiful gesture seldom seen in Maldivian politics.

While various figures have already been expressing interest in the MDP presidential ticket in different ways and quietly running unofficial campaign activities, Shahid is among the few who have formally declared their candidacy.

Under the laws of the Maldives and the MDP’s constitution, there is no obstacle to contesting for the presidential ticket while serving as Party President. Nor is there any bar on running a broad presidential primary campaign while holding the party’s highest office.

The most important question that arises, then, is this: why did Shahid resign from the party presidency at the very rally where he announced his candidacy? Shahid himself answered that question at the rally that night. He explained that his aim was to run a campaign of integrity — clean and honest — free from personal interest and undue influence, and free even from the shadow of such accusations, while contesting an internal party election from the party’s highest office.

It is not a common sight in Maldivian politics for political figures to voluntarily step down from the positions they hold without any major issue or compulsion. For that reason, many are noting Shahid’s move with particular respect.

Beyond this, during his tenure as Party President, Shahid also set a democratic example by refusing to take sides in the party’s internal contests. In the party’s Chairperson election and in other internal elections, he had stated while in office that he would not favour, endorse, or campaign for any particular candidate — and he honoured that pledge in practice.

Another point worth noting is that several senior figures backing Shahid in this primary are following the example he set. Among those who have so far resigned from senior party positions to support his campaign and take part in primary activities are the party’s Deputy Chairperson, former Baarah constituency MP Ahmed Abdulla, and the party’s Vice President, former Thulhaadhoo constituency MP Hisaan Hussain. On resigning, Hisaan said that since former Party President Abdulla Shahid — who had appointed her — had himself stepped down from the party presidency, remaining as Vice President without a fresh mandate would not be consistent with democratic principles.

Many today feel that Shahid and his team, now conducting broad campaign activities across the country, have taken a principled stand.

There is little doubt that when candidates step down from the senior party positions they hold and campaign independently — in a manner that opens the door to the fairness and equality that lie at the heart of democracy — public trust in them grows. For if one candidate gains privileged access to money and resources on the one hand, and the ability to exert influence on the other, the results of the primary will be cast into doubt and the party’s unity will be strained.