Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) is seeking a Supreme Court remedy to challenge the Elections Commission's decision to reject the presidential candidacy of former President Abdulla Yameen.
On Wednesday at around 05:30 a.m., Dr. Mohamed Jameel, lawyer and running mate of former President Abdulla Yameen, informed local media that the issue has been filed with the Supreme Court "a while back."
"We are seeking justice for all the rights that have been infringed with the government's influence. God willing, we will succeed," said the leading advocate of Yameen's legal team.
Yameen's candidacy form has been rejected due to his criminal conviction. The former president is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence for his convictions of money laundering and graft in the Vaavu atoll Aarah lease case.
Yameen is rendered ineligible to run for presidency according to Article 109 of the Maldives Constitution, which states that an eligible candidate should not be convicted and sentenced longer than 12 months, and three years must have elapsed since the candidate's release or pardon for the sentence.
The Elections Commission (EC) stated that it rejected Yameen's presidential candidacy in accordance with the Constitution. The decision was based on Yameen's criminal record, which indicated that he had not completed his sentence.
Abdul Raheem Abdulla, the president of the People's National Congress (PNC) and also heading the PPM, announced that Yameen will be granted the right to contend in the presidential election through the Supreme Court.
"I urge everyone not to be disheartened by this... let us all stand together with President Yameen, and we will win," Abdul Raheem said in a message sent to the PPM Senate's WhatsApp group.
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