Lawmaker of Hulhuhenveiru constituency, Moosa Manik, announced to contest independently for the Gan constituency in the Parliamentary Election 2019.
Manik, who recently resigned from main opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), decided to run for Gan as it was the constituency that debuted his political career, according to local media Mihaaru.
While Hulhuhenveiru is not included in the 87 constituencies determined by the Elections Commission for the April 6 election, Manik stated that he decided against running for a Male' City seat as the constituencies of the capital were "jumbled".
Manik had campaigned actively for PPM ahead of this year's Presidential Election. He claimed to have played a great role in procuring support for former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, including over 1,100 votes from Gan.
However, Manik was not amongst over 50 members who received PPM's ticket for the parliamentary election. He stated PPM's lack of future as the reason for leaving the party, adding that people valued individual services of politicians over the party they represented.
Vowing to prioritise development for Gan, Manik added that he will work against efforts to bring about a parliamentary system in Maldives.
"I do not believe anyone should disrupt President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's rule before his term is up. We have to give [leaders] the chance to rule in peace," said Manik, noting that the parliamentary system has failed in various other countries.
"Those speaking of a parliamentary system are ones with their own political agendas."
The current deputy speaker of parliament, Manik had succeeded his first seat as a member of Laamu Atoll in 2004. He also played a main role in drafting the current Constitution of Maldives.
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