The opposition on Tuesday stated that the only way to have a fair and independent election is to remove President Abdulla Yameen from power.
During a press conference held by the opposition coalition at the Jumhoory Party’s (JP) main hub 'Kunooz' in the capital Male, Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said that the aim of the opposition is to clear any obstacles in bringing a free and fair election to the people.
He added that in order to do this, the opposition must remove President Yameen from power, claiming that he is the biggest obstacle in achieving their goal.
He said that the President also aware that people no longer support him. MP Solih noted that, according to the polls taken by the opposition, 65 percent of the public do not support him.
Addressing the talks by ruling party Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), he said that their rumours of the opposition being divided and unable to bring forth a single candidate is baseless.
According to the opposition, once the Elections Commission (EC) opens applications for presidential candidates, they will apply together, with a single candidate’s name on the application. EC is to open application for candidacy in July.
EC had earlier stated that the first round of voting will be held in the beginning of September.
PPM has since announced that their candidate will be President Yameen. Meanwhile, the joint opposition coalition has not given any hints at who a potential candidate might be. They have yet to confirm if they will head to the election with one candidate or multiple ones.
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