DRP announces rebrand effort

The Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) has called for submissions for a new party color, logo and slogan in an effort to re-brand its image.

Once the largest political party in the Maldives, the DRP’s strength has declined radically after founder and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s split from the party in 2011.

The party’s elected council has now been dissolved with the leadership’s defection to the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and government aligned Jumhooree Party (JP).

Acting leader and MP ‘Colonel’ Mohamed Nasheed has previously described the party as now being in the “ICU”, accusing the party’s leadership of leaving behind MVR10million in debt (US$ 64,5161) and abandoning the party with its data and assets.

Speaking to the press yesterday, Nasheed said the party would offer MVR200,000 (US$ 12903) for the re-brand effort. Applications will be accepted up until December 15.

Nasheed said the party’s current color blue is not visible from afar. Furthermore, the current logo of a coconut frond and boat on a blue backdrop is complex, and hence, difficult to duplicate and print on campaign materials. The new logo must not contain more than three colors, and must retain its original content even if re-sized.

The new logo, slogan and color will be approved and new leadership elected during the party’s next congress.

Meanwhile, the DRP is undergoing an internal audit and has called for any party to whom the DRP owes money for materials or services rendered to come forward within 10 days with the necessary documents to prove the claim.

Nasheed has also pledged to offer the annulled position of “Supreme Leader” to former President Gayoom.

The title was annulled during the party’s April 2013 congress with a 602-10 vote.

Nasheed said he believed Gayoom had retired from politics and must be honored as DRP’s founder for “historical purposes.”

“We believe his sacrifice in founding the party must be recognized,” he said.

Recognising former leader Ahmed Thasmeen Ali’s services to the party, Nasheed said he excluded Thasmeen in his criticism of the party’s former leadership and from accusations of stealing from the party.

The party intends win the mayorship of Male’ City Council and win at least 15 seats in parliament, Nasheed said.

Nasheed defected from the MDP to join the DRP in March this year claiming that the MDP is undisciplined.

According to the Elections Commission the DRP has 19,038 registered members at present.

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