Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s newly elected chairperson Hassan Latheef’s work would expand liberties for all Maldivians, former President Mohamed Nasheed has said.

In a tweet to congratulate Latheef’s victory on Friday, Nasheed said he is confident that Latheef would see the party strengthened as well.

Earlier in the week, Nasheed had sent out a tweet urging all members of MDP to participate in the election.

23,404 members had participated in the ballots, with 23,188 people voting in favour of Latheef, 160 votes against, and 56 null votes.

Ballot boxes for the chairperson election were placed in seven locations throughout the capital, every inhabited island in the nation, and Nasheed had cast his vote from Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Party regulations state that a candidate must acquire at least 5,000 votes to be elected chairperson. The position was made vacant when Ali Waheed resigned, stating that he would not be able to fully act according to his mandate while out of the country.

In an address after the temporary results were announced, Latheef said he would focus on revamping the party’s administration – in order to strengthen party activity across the nation – and take a central role in winning elections for the party.