MDP's former chairperson Moosa Manik (Reeko Moosa) has been denied the opportunity to run for president of Male' city.

Reeko Moosa was expelled from MDP after he voted against a party whipline as Hulhuhenveiru MP. He had previously been informed by the party that he will not be able to contest for any post or primaries for five years if he rejoins the party.

Reeko Moosa submit his application for the MDP by-election after his appeal was rejected by the Party's appeal committee.

In a post on X, Reeko Moosa questioned the party's leadership's decision against him.

"There is no opportunity to partake in anything in the Party. I was expelled from the Party in 2014 for being an obstacle to Nasheed's access to power, and I am sure the fear still stands," Reeko Moosa said.

The party's decision to expel Reeko Moosa was taken after he voted against the parliamentary group's three-line whip not to vote for the removal of former Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain and the then Supreme Court Judge and current Chief Justice Ahmed Mu'uthasim Adnan.