MDP Chairperson and Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail has stated that about 900 MDP members have so far left the party to join The Democrats, spearheaded by Speaker Mohamed Nasheed.

Twelve MDP parliamentarians who support Speaker Nasheed quit the party, sought permission at the EC to form the new party on May 21st, and were greenlit by the EC on May 24th.

A week later they submitted the required number of membership forms for the party's registration.

Speaking to One Online during a trip to Addu City, Fayyaz noted that the party's task forces based in the islands are keeping up with the members who are leaving the party to join The Democrats.

Fayyaz highlighted that membership drive works are ongoing, and that they will also work to bring back the members who had left the party.

The Democrats had alleged that a list of members who had joined the party had leaked through the EC. They had submitted to the Police and to the EC to investigate the issue, where their members are being threatened by government officials once the list was made public.