President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that MDP will not lose out on 47,000 member votes if referendum on system of governance is not held.

President Solih made the remarks in response to a question from 'One' regarding former president and Speaker of Parliament, Mohamed Nasheed's, comments during the congress that MDP will lose at least 47,000 member votes if the party does not agree to hold a referendum to decide on the system of governance in the Maldives.

President Solih has declared his support for a Presidential system of governance during the MDP Congress. Nasheed had previously stated that 42 percent of MDP members would be disheartened and vote for opposition if a referendum is not held.

Nasheed added that MDP received 42 percent vote in the previous elections while Jumhooree Party secured 12 percent votes, Adhaalat Party secured 6 percent. He further added that he believes MDP would receive 48 percent vote in 2023, which is roughly about 112,000 votes.

"I always make predictions based on political realities. I believe that if we do not change the system of governance, 42 percent members in MDP will vote against us. We are talking about 47,000 votes which will leave us with 65,000 votes - a total 27 percent of voters", Nasheed said at MDP Congress.

However, President Solih has stated that he does not predict such a decline in MDP votes over the referendum. He said that all political parties have disagreements over systems of governance and even political candidates, while speaking in response to Nasheed's claims.

President Solih added that MDP members will not vote against MDP as Nasheed has claimed. He added that the party hopes to reach a consensus over the disagreements before the Congress comes to an end.