Former President Mohamed Nasheed has taken up the role of campaign manager for the opposition coalition's presidential candidate, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu).
Nasheed, who resides in the United Kingdom under political asylum, is overseeing Ibu's campaign activities from Sri Lanka.
In an interview to local media outlet Mihaaru last Friday, Ibu had countered the criticism levied against Nasheed which accuses the former president of not being wholly involved in Ibu's presidential campaign.
Regarding his old childhood friend, Ibu declared that "President Nasheed is a part of this campaign", adding that Nasheed was one of the most actively involved members.
"He wrote in our WhatsApp group [last Thursday] that he is now our campaign manager, and that he has taken up the role," said Ibu.
The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had initially appointed Nasheed as their candidate in the party's presidential primary. However, after the Elections Commission declared Nasheed ineligible to run for presidency owing to his ongoing 13-year jail conviction on terrorism charges, MDP had decided to put forward the party's parliamentary group leader, Hinnavaru MP Ibu, as their candidate.
The parties of the opposition coalition approved the decision, and appointed Faisal Naseem of Jumhooree Party as Ibu's running mate.
The Presidential Election 2018 is slated to be held on September 23.
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