Amid discussions of a potential Plan B scenario by the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) in case former president Abdulla Yameen is denied the opportunity to contest in the presidential election, former president Dr. Mohamed Waheed has submitted a request to clear his police record.
PPM has formally requested the Supreme Court to issue an order allowing the party to nominate an alternative candidate, as Yameen's candidacy rejection has been appealed to the court.
Yameen's candidacy was declined by the Elections Commission (EC) due to his 11-year criminal sentence and subsequent unpaid fine of USD 5 million resulting from his convictions for money laundering and graft in the Vaavu atoll Aarah case.
PPM's coalition partner, the People's National Congress (PNC), selected Malé City Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu as its presidential candidate after amending the party's regulations. Dr. Muizzu had joined the party on Thursday, August 3, to secure his candidacy.
PPM, the opposition coalition's main party said that Dr. Muizzu was the coalition's "Plan C." They said that their Plan A is Yameen's candidacy, while Plan B would be to nominate an alternative candidate if Yameen's eligibility is denied.
With the opposition coalition announcing multiple plans, reports indicate that Dr. Mohamed Waheed has taken steps to clear his record with the Maldives Police. However, he did not comment on whether he intends to compete for PPM's ticket to run for presidency.
"I cannot comment on that right now," Dr. Waheed said.
Dr. Waheed submitted a request to clear his record, coinciding with increasing speculation about the main opposition party's efforts to field him as an alternative candidate.
Malé City Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, who previously held the position of PPM's vice leader, joined People's National Congress (PNC), the coalition partner of PPM, on Thursday in order to secure his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election.
On Saturday, August 5, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu announced Faresmaathoda MP Hussain Mohamed Latheef as his running mate.
Muizzu said that he considers himself a 'backup' candidate, expressing optimism about Yameen's potential success in the Supreme Court proceedings.
Yameen's rejected candidacy was appealed to the Supreme Court, and a hearing was conducted on Friday, August 4. Following the conclusion of the hearing, the Chief Justice announced that the case would proceed to the verdict.
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