Will win with 60 percent of votes in the second round: Abdul Raheem

"This time the math was correct. The math was accurate. God willing, we will win the election on September 30 by securing 60% of the votes."

Interim leader of the PPM/PNC coalition Abdul Raheem Abdulla has outlined the reasons for the government's loss in Saturday's election. He was speaking at the "Shukuriyya Dhiveheen" [Thank you Maldivians] rally held by the coalition to celebrate their win in the initial round of the presidential election. Hundreds of supporters of the coalition participated in the event held at Artificial Beach on Sunday night.

Abdul Raheem said the biggest share of Saturday's win is attributed to former President Abdulla Yameen who is currently serving a prison sentence. He added that President Yameen deserved to be thanked for his role in the party's victory.

According to Abdul Raheem, one of the major reasons why a lot of people said no to the government was the presence of Indian soldiers in the Maldives. He said the unknown agreements with India that allegedly stipulates the sale of Maldivian assets and land to India is a weakness of the government.

"Maldivians have said that the government who claimed that MMPRC case is the biggest case of fraud and pledged to investigate the case did not take any steps against anyone implicated besides our President Yameen who was sentenced unjustly. The people have said they do not accept the injustices suffered by Yameen." -- Abdul Raheem

Abdul Raheem said, "The people of Maldives have said that they do not want injustice to be normalized. They do not want corruption to prevail. That five years passing by without finding the truth about unexplained murders is not right."

Dr. Muizzu secured more than 100,000 votes in Saturday's election. This is 46 percent of the total votes. MDP Candidate President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih received more than 86,000 votes which was 39 percent of the total vote.

He went on to say that Maldivians wanted a country where Islam values are respected, where justice is established and where the people lived with friendship and unity. He further highlighted that Maldivians wanted a state that can implement the law, and a ruler that would not allow any room for corruption and strife. According to Abdul Raheem, the people wanted a justice system that delivered fair sentences and punishments.

Abdul Raheem said that many Maldivians are dissatisfied with the current government due to its perceived failures.

Abdul Raheem said, "From the 8 candidates, the people have accepted the manifesto presented by Dr. Muizzu and PPM/PNC which was prepared with the advice of President Yameen."

"This time the math was correct, right? I am saying, God willing, we will win the election on September 30 through securing 60 percent of the votes." said Abdul Raheem.

Abdul Raheem previously said the party would receive 45 to 46 percent of the vote and the election results matched this estimate.

Dr. Muizzu, who secured the most votes in the first round of the election, extended an invitation to other political parties to join forces for the second round. Abdul Raheem urged other parties to accept this invitation.