Navaanavai endorses two candidates for parliamentary elections

Left-wing political movement 'Navaanavai' (Ninety-Nine) announced their decision to endorse two candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

The organisation, which works for political, economic and social change, held a press meeting on Tuesday to introduce the candidates, Ahmed Mohamed for Kudahuvadhoo constituency and Fathimath Rishanaa for Maafannu Central constituency.

The spokesperson for Navaanavai, Fathimath Saaira, revealed that both the candidates underwent a screening process before Navaanai endorsed them.

As per Saaira, the organization is free from any political ties, and advocate for social justice and equal distribution of resources. She went on to say that they decided to support the two candidates as their vision matches with the Navaanavai.

Speaking at the ceremony, candidate Ahmed Mohamed, who is from Kudahuvadhoo in Dhaalu Atoll, spoke of how his parents had to give up the island life and migrate to the capital due to centralisation. He said that it was disheartening to see that, even after so many years, the country is running on the same system and that not much has changed.

Meanwhile, Rishanaa is from Male' and grew up in the constituency she is contesting for. She recalled the times when Male' was a much simpler place where she and her childhood friends ran around to play.

Rishanaa stated that because parliamentarians are too busy attending to their own needs, the rest of the country remains far behind.

She stressed that even if it was just two people representing these ideologies, people from other constituencies would see their campaign methods and question their representative MPs. She stressed that even two people could make a lasting impression.

The organisation stated they hoped to use their campaign methods to educate voters and show the voters that they are the ones with power.

Both candidates have publicized their financial statements, which include details of their family's finances as well.

In addition to declaring their assets, Navaanavai has pledged to keep its campaign funding transparent as well. Both candidates will release a detailed statement after campaigns conclude, which will reveal the number of donations, donors and expenditure.

The candidates collectively agreed that one of the biggest problems in the Maldivian parliament was the presence of wealthy businessmen. They claimed that oftentimes, the businessmen pass and amend laws that benefited them while turning down bills that could put them at a disadvantage.

Navaanavai plans to register themselves as a political movement in the near future.