Maldives National Party (MNP) leader and Dhangethi MP Mohamed Nazim has officially submitted his presidential candidacy form to the Elections Commission (EC) on Sunday, August 6.
Nazim was accompanied by his running mate Dr. Ahmed Adeel Naseer to submit the candidacy form, which was received by EC’s President Fuad Thaufeeq.
The former defense minister launched his own political party and began his campaign for the presidency, expressing strong confidence in his potential victory in the upcoming 2023 presidential election. Nazim has consistently asserted his determination to overcome the two prevailing political forces in the Maldives; the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the largest opposition party, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
Nazim founded MNP, which comprises three current parliamentarians, and has chosen to participate in the elections without forming an alliance.
The MNP leader will be competing with MDP’s presidential candidate and incumbent president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who is seeking re-election, as well as Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim, Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) leader Faris Maumoon, The Democrats’ candidate Ilyas Labeeb while the main opposition has yet to officially nominate its candidate.
Although PPM initially attempted to field former president Abdulla Yameen for presidency, his candidacy was rejected by the EC citing he was constitutionally ineligible with reference to Article 109 of the Maldives Constitution.
Article 109 of the Constitution stipulates that a candidate should not have a criminal sentence exceeding 12 months, or three years should have elapsed since their release or pardon.
Following Yameen’s candidacy rejection, PPM’s coalition partner People’s National Congress (PNC) decided to contend in the elections separately. The party handed its ticket to Malé City Mayor Dr. Muizzu, who signed for the party last Thursday.
Although Dr. Muizzu on Saturday, August 5, announced his running mate, he said he considers himself to be a “backup” candidate.
On Sunday, August 6, the Supreme Court, where Yameen’s candidacy rejection was appealed, had delivered its verdict upholding EC’s decision. With Yameen’s chances of contending in the election now officially annulled, the opposition coalition has only one day left to finalize its alternative candidate.
The candidacy submission window announced by the EC will expire on Monday, August 7.
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