Former Home Minister Umar Naseer has collected over 2000 signatures to file candidacy papers to contest in the September presidential election.
In a message posted on social media, Umar said over 2000 signatures had been collected so far. He intends to contest as an independent candidate.
According to the Presidential Election Act, independent candidates must submit at least 1,500 signatures with the candidacy forms.
Umar told Adhadhu on Friday night that the process to complete the paperwork is underway and that he hopes to submit forms within the next week.
“This is not just a campaign. It has turned into a big political movement. I thank all those who supported us and signed up, and those who are volunteering with me in this endeavor,” he said.
Umar also ran in the 2008 presidential election as the candidate of Islamic Democratic Party (IDP) and received 2,472 votes or 1.4 percent.
In 2012, he contested in the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) presidential primary and received about 7,000 votes while former President Abdulla Yameen, who won the presidential election that year, received about 13,000 votes.
Despite the two defeats, Umar announced that he would contest in the 2018 presidential election, but withdrew at the last minute.
