On Sunday, allies of MDP President Mohamed Nasheed filed an application with the Elections Commission to form The Democrats,  a new political party. On behalf of Nasheed's Fikuregge Dhirun breakaway faction, Henveiru West MP Hassan Latheef submitted the application  form to the commission. Ismail Habib, vice president of the Elections Commission, received the form.

MPs and supporters of Nasheed resigned the ruling MDP on Wednesday, announcing plans to form a new political party and run a candidate in the next presidential election.