MP Hussain Mohamed Latheef has been nominated as the running mate for the People's National Congress (PNC) presidential candidate.
Male' Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu was elected as the PNC candidate last Thursday. PNC is in a coalition with the largest opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
PPM-PNC coalition nominated jailed former President Abdulla Yameen as their presidential candidate. But the Elections Commission (EC) rejected his candidacy.
Yameen asked the PNC to nominate a backup candidate in the event that he is unable to contest. He is currently challenging the EC decision in the Supreme Court.
Muizzu who was with the PPM left the party and joined PNC to get the presidential ticket. Twenty-five members from the 48-member senate voted for him.
In a tweet on Saturday, Muizzu said it is his responsibility to nominate a running mate while awaiting a decision on Yameen's candidacy.
“While I consider it my responsibility to appoint a running mate and prepare the application, I have decided to appoint the Honorable Member of Parliament for Faresmaathodaa Constituency Hussain Mohamed Latheef (Senbe) as my running mate,” Muizzu wrote.
Officials from the PPM have said that plan A is fielding Yameen as a candidate. But if his candidacy rejection is upheld, they will opt for Plan B and field a PPM candidate.
If the PPM does not get sufficient time to nominate a candidate, Plan C will come into motion and the PNC candidate will file papers.
The Supreme Court concluded hearing arguments on Yameen's candidacy rejection case on Friday and a ruling is expected promptly.
