We will have support of The Democrats and JP supporters: President Solih

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said on Thursday that he believes he will have the support of a lot of members of Jumhooree Party (JP) and The Democrats even if the parties themselves have decided not to back any candidate during the second round of the elections.

While speaking to journalists on his door-to-door campaign in Maafannu ward, Malé, he said a lot of the JP council members had been discussing to join his campaign.

He said that while some of the members have already announced their support for him on social media, he believes more people will do so as well.

“Almost the majority of JP is to work with MDP. God willing that will be a great help for us to win the second round,” President Solih said.

The president also negotiated an alliance with The Democrats, who's condition was to hold a vote to determine the system of governance in Maldives on Monday. However, the president had suggested that a referendum can be held after the second round election. Despite these concessions, The Democrats decided not to back any candidate.

He said that with the work they have done now, a large section of The Democrats have joined Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). He said that they will get almost everyone’s support and with that it will be easier to win the election.

The president received 86,161 votes in the first round of the election held on September 9. People’s National Congress’ (PNC) candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizz who will be contesting the second round as well, received 1,01,635 votes.

According to the Elections Commission (EC), this election had the lowest turnout in the country’s history.

MDP’s candidate said that some of the people who met him has said they did not vote during the first round. However, seeing the results, they said they are forced to cast their votes in the second round on September 30, he said.

"We don't want to return to a state of danger and fear. Therefore, we are committed to working diligently towards this goal. We have assembled teams to focus on this," he said.

"I'm pretty confident about it. God willing, we will have an easy win."