The Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) coalition's presidential candidate and former President Abdulla Yameen has submitted his candidacy forms to the Elections Commission (EC).
The forms were handed over by Yameen's campaign agent and PPM's Secretary General Mohamed Tholal. EC President Fuwad Thowfeek accepted the forms on Tuesday morning.
EC Vice President Ismail Habeeb told PPM-PNC leaders that the commission would decide on the candidacy within 24 hours. The law gives the EC 48 hours to decide whether to accept or reject a candidacy.
He noted that the applicant would have the right to appeal in court if unhappy with the EC's decision.
Yameen is serving an 11-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of accepting a USD 1.1 million bribe to lease Vaavu Aarah in the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption scandal.
The appeal of the verdict started at the High Court but only one hearing has been held since the Eid holidays. The case has stalled due to the leave of judges.
A constitutional case was also filed twice in the Supreme Court to ensure Yameen's electoral rights. Both times the court dismissed the case.
If a person has been convicted of a criminal offense and sentenced to more than 12 months, he must have served that sentence or been pardoned for three years to be eligible to contest in the presidential election.
Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, Yameen's former Vice President and who currently serves as senior legal counsel to the opposition leader, was recently announced as the running mate.
After the pair won the 2013 election, Jameel served as Yameen's vice president for one year and eight months. Jameel was impeached on July 21, 2015 with the votes of 78 MPs in the PPM-majority parliament.
