Elections Commission (EC), on Friday, officially announced the presidential candidacy of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Jumhooree Party (JP) coalition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) in the presidential elections.
Whilst EC closed applications to contest in the run for presidency, a total of four applications were submitted to the commission. Out of submitted applications, EC rejected the application of independent candidate Hussain Naseer and running mate Sheikh Nasrulla Musthafa.
EC revealed that the application was rejected as there were issues with the required 1500 signatories for presidential candidacy in addition to running mate Nasrulla’s present criminal records. Akram further added that difficulties had also arisen due to Naseer’s registered permanent address.
In addition to Naseer and Nasrulla, former home minister Umar Naseer and former vice president of Local Government Authority (LGA) Shujau Hussain also withdrew their bid to run in the upcoming presidential elections after issuing separate statements heavily criticizing the current political situation in the country.
Both presidential candidates have elected their respective running mates for the upcoming presidential elections. Kaashidhoo MP Mohamed Faisal Naseem of Jumhooree Party (JP) will be running alogside opposition coalition candidate Solih and Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed as running mate to President Yameen of ruling PPM.
With the presidential elections slated for September 23, both parties are currently carrying out campaign activities across the archipelago.
Founder of Jumhooree Party Qasim Ibrahim, President of main opposition MDP and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom have been barred from contesting in the presidential election as they are deemed ineligible by the Constitution due to their convictions. Nasheed and Qasim, however, are currently residing abroad under political asylum.
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