The Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has proposed jailed former President Abdulla Yameen as the joint opposition candidate for the September election.
The Democrats, Jumhooree Party (JP) and the Maldives National Party (MNP) on Wednesday agreed to field a joint presidential candidate if PPM agrees.
PPM is the largest opposition party and is in a coalition with the People's National Congress (PNC).
The PPM-PNC coalition earlier awarded its presidential ticket to Yameen despite uncertainties over his candidacy.
Responding to reporters, PPM Secretary General Mohamed Tholal said the party proposes Yameen as the joint opposition candidate.
"The party wants President Abdulla Yameen to be the common candidate. The [PPM-PNC] coalition welcomes and thanks the parties for their joint efforts to end the government of [President] Ibrahim Mohamed Solih," he wrote in a media Whatsapp group.
Former President and parliament speaker Mohamed Nasheed who leads the Democrats was the first to suggest a common opposition candidate.
But he said it is best for him and Yameen to not contest.
"In my opinion, the two of us should not run in this election. Instead, we should work together to achieve what the people want," Nasheed said.
"The polls show that the majority of the people are undecided. President Solih gets 15 percent. I get six percent. President Yameen gets 18 percent. The majority of the people of Maldives, 55 percent of the people are undecided," he added.
"I have not said that I will contest. So there is no need to count that six percent. President Yameen is in jail. However, he is getting 18 percent."
He added that all opposition politicians should come together and defeat President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the presidential election.
“It is our responsibility to find a way [to defeat him],” Nasheed said.
