Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) President Ahmed Faris Maumoon has submitted his candidacy form with the signatures of 2662 people in support of his bid to contest as an independent candidate in the presidential election.
Faris went to the election headquarters set up by the Elections Commission (EC) at Dharubaaruge around 12:30 in the afternoon today with his running mate Dr. Abdul Sattar Yoosuf and senior MRM officials.
EC President Fuwad Thowfeek accepted Faris' form on behalf of the commission. Faris was accompanied by running mate Dr. Abdul Sattar Yoosuf and campaign agent Ismail Zabeeh, an MRM council member.
Faris, son of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ruled the Maldives for 30 years, submitted a support form with the signatures of 2662 people to meet the requirement for 1500 signatures to contest as an independent candidate.
The presidential election law requires independent candidates who are not contesting on the ticket of any registered political party to submit a support form with the signatures of at least 1500 people.
Faris did not seek to contest on the MRM ticket as the Civil Court is yet to rule on a legal challenge of the EC's decision to dissolve the party.
The EC decided to dissolve the MRM on May 24 after the party's membership fell below the minimum number required by law. The political parties law requires a minimum of 3000 registered members.
Former home minister Umar Naseer and former deputy defense minister Hassan Zameel also submitted candidacy papers today to contest as independent candidates. Despite announcing his intention to run for president, former attorney general Dr. Mohamed Munnavar decided not to contest this year.
Other candidates in the September 9 presidential election are President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as the Maldivian Democratic Party candidate, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu from the People's National Congress (PNC), Ilyas Labeel from The Democrats, Qasim Ibrahim from the Jumhooree Party (JP) Mohamed Nazim from the Maldives National Party (MNP),
