MP Aslam appointed as President Solih's running mate

North Hithadhoo MP, Mohamed Aslam, has been announced as the running mate of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for September 9.

Aslam, who serves as the leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Parliamentary Group, has recently filed an application with the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) to have his record cleared.

Having held the North Hithadhoo Constituency seat in the parliament for a cumulative 15 years, Aslam is presently engaged in campaigning for the upcoming presidential election in Addu.

Neither the MDP nor Aslam could be reached for comment regarding his selection as President Solih's running mate for his second-term presidential bid. Aslam remained unavailable for comment as he did not respond to phone calls.

It was speculated that President Solih would select his current Vice President, Faisal Naseem, who has been by his side throughout his first term, as his running mate for his second term bid. Other potential candidates for the position of running mate included Mohamed Aslam, and Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid.

Aslam has been a member of the MDP since the party's inception and has worked with President Solih while he was in the parliament. Aslam's political alignment was initially closely linked to former MDP president Mohamed Nasheed. However, in the midst of conflict within the party, Aslam ultimately aligned himself with President Solih's faction within the MDP.

Previously, Nasheed had attempted to secure Aslam's election as Parliament Speaker. However, there was subsequent discontent when Nasheed later reversed this decision.

Last week, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih stated that the selection of a running mate was the biggest concern on his mind.

"I use the term 'concern' to indicate that I am faced with a decision to make. I am engaged in separate discussions with senior members of the party. I am gathering their perspectives," President Solih said while addressing journalists following a campaign event in Vaavu atoll Fulidhoo. He further added, "I am meeting with individuals nearly every day and night, and several names have been put forward."

Despite President Solih's earlier statement to submit his candidacy form by Friday, it was not completed as anticipated. This delay is thought to be linked to the ongoing process of selecting a suitable running mate.

With the deadline for candidacy applications in the upcoming presidential elections just around the corner, set for next Monday, a total of five candidates have shown their interest in participating. However, as of now, the only formal submission has been made by former president Abdulla Yameen. The Elections Commission decided not to accept Yameen’s candidacy because due to his ongoing prison sentence.

Following the recent hearing of the appeal submitted on behalf of Yameen to the Supreme Court, a ruling on the case is anticipated to be delivered soon.