The presidential candidate of Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) coalition, former president Abdulla Yameen's campaign kickstarted Monday with a door-to-door event.
The event, which began Monday evening, was attended by PPM-PNC leadership, senators, constituency presidents, members of steering committees and members of the public.
PPM-PNC spokesperson Heena Waleed told the media that the door-to-door campaign will reach two-thirds of the voting population.
"Very soon, we will start visiting the people in the islands," she stated.
Briefing reporters ahead of the campaign launch.
Speaking to reporters, PPM-PNC chief Abdul Raheem Abdulla said the campaign would become stronger when the ex-president is freed from the High Court.
"When the case currently pending in the High Court is resolved, President Yameen will come out as an innocent person. Once he comes out, the campaign will automatically go into higher gear," he said.
Asked if the PPM-PNC would work with the Democrats if the presidential election went to a second round, Abdul Raheem said he did not believe it would go to a second round.
Despite the campaign launch, Yameen is serving an 11-year prison sentence at Maafushi jail.
Yameen was convicted at the criminal court of accepting a USD 1.1 million bribe to lease Vaavu Aarah island through the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). The verdict has been appealed at the high court.
However, his campaign team believes that Yameen's name will be on the ballot this year. He will contest and win the election, campaign manager Captain Mohamed Ameen said previously.
Yameen is also on trial over alleged corruption in the leasing of Raa Fuggiri island.
