The Democrats decide not to back a candidate in the second round

The Democrats have also decided to refrain from supporting either party contesting in the second round of the presidential election to be held on September 30.

The Interim Council of The Democrats decided last Monday that they will go into discussions with the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) if they accept to hold a referendum about the system of government on September 28.

The Democrats also decided to engage in talks with the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), if they signed an agreement with them, detailing their share in the government and the extent to which The Democrats' policies will be incorporated in a PPM/PNC government.

A press statement issued by The Democrats said that they decided to refrain from supporting either of the two parties because neither party had responded to their propositions by the given deadline which expired on Wednesday.

This decision by The Democrats came after the resolution submitted to the parliament by their presidential candidate and Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb was passed with the support of members representing the MDP. According to this resolution, the parliament will instruct the Elections Commission (EC) to hold a referendum to determine the system of government for the Maldives. This instruction has now been sent to the parliament and the EC is deliberating on the matter.

The MDP Parliamentary Group leader said that they decided to support the resolution since it specified that the referendum be held on the October 30. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had also stated that he had no issues of holding this referendum on that date.

Neither parties gave any indication that the support for the resolution was given on condition that The Democrats support MDP in the second round of election.

PPM/PNC Presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu won the first round of the election held on September 9 with 15,000 more votes when compared with the votes secured by the MDP Presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. This is the same number of votes received by The Democrats during the first round.