People's National Congress (PNC) senate has approved the nomination of a candidate to prepare in the event that former President Abdulla Yameen is barred from contesting in the September 9 presidential election.
Earlier this week, sources confirmed that discussions were underway within the Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) coalition about fielding a separate presidential candidate from the PNC amid doubts over the candidacy of former President Abdulla Yameen.
Since Yameen is a candidate representing two parties, PNC leadership wanted him to decide on fielding a separate candidate from the party. But, Yameen requested the PNC senate to make a decision.
Some 47 members attended the senate meeting on Thursday morning and 44 members voted in favor of fielding a PNC candidate.
The deadline for submitting candidacy papers ends next Monday, so there is no time to hold a primary to decide on a candidate. Reports say the senate would decide on how to choose a candidate.
Maduvvari MP Adam Shareef has expressed interest in the ticket. PPM Vice President and Male' Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is also interested, according to some sources.
Yameen's situation
Yameen is currently in jail 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 Yameen's conviction and sentence 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.
Despite the legal hurdles, Yameen submitted candidacy papers with his former Vice President Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed as the running mate.
But the Elections Commission (EC) on Tuesday declared that Yameen is ineligible to contest. The EC legal team advised that the 11-year prison sentence on Yameen has not been quashed by any courts.
The PPM-PNC coalition on Wednesday filed a case in the Supreme Court following the EC's rejection of Yameen's candidacy. The apex court gave until 3 pm Thursday to respond to the legal points raised by Yameen's lawyers.
