The opposition Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) coalition has called to “postpone the presidential election until justice is done” as their candidate former president Abdulla Yameen is serving a prison sentence.
Yameen is serving an 11-year jail sentence after the Criminal Court found him guilty of bribery in the leasing of Vaavu Aarah island in the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption scandal.
He was awarded the PPM-PNC presidential ticket but is not expected to be able to contest if the prison sentence remains. The coalition says Yameen's candidacy will be submitted even if the verdict is not overturned.
Interim leader of the opposition coalition Abdul Raheem Abdulla alleged that Yameen was kept in jail through the influence of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih who is running for re-election.
"President Solih is using his power and influence to keep the opposition leader and presidential candidate President Yameen in jail. Any election held in this situation will not be free and fair," Abdul Raheem tweeted.
"I call for the postponement of the presidential election until justice is done to President Yameen."
The Elections Commission (EC) will open for candidates' applications on July 23. The window to submit applications will close on August 3 and voting will take place on September 9.
EC President Fuwad Thowfeek earlier told Adhadhu that the commission would reject Yameen's candidacy if his conviction and sentence continued.
"[He] cannot contest until [the jail sentence] is quashed. The candidacy will not be accepted. [They] can submit [the form] but we will not accept [the candidacy]," he said.
Sources suggest that there is competition within the opposition coalition in the event that Yameen cannot contest. Male' city mayor Mohamed Muizzu is reportedly campaigning for the ticket, but he has not made an official announcement.
