Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu called on political leaders to back him in the second round for the sake of national interest.
Speaking at a PPM-PNC victory rally at the artificial beach, Muizzu said voters put nation first in Saturday's election and that politicians should do the same.
"I invite all other parties and political leaders to join us. I will prioritize nationhood. I urge all political leaders who love nationhood to take the hand that I am extending. My assurance is putting the nation first," Muizzu said, addressing supporters.
Muizzu finished top in Saturday's presidential election with 45.1 percent of the vote (101,691 votes). President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate won 38.2 percent (85,260 votes).
Muizzu said foreign troops were stationed in the Maldives and that "we should say no to that."
Voters sent a big message in Saturday's election, he said, adding that it was time to put the nation first.
"We have brought hope to this country. It is not so easy for us to lose the country's independence the way it is being lost. We will decide our future on our own," he said.
Muizzu advised the public to unite in the national interest and for each voter to perform their duty as a Maldivian citizen.
"Because you are a Maldivian, you should ensure that you won't second guess in fulfilling the duty of a Maldivian," Muizzu said.
If elected, Muizzu said he would make decisions with complete freedom and independence.
"We need to put the nation first. When it reaches the point where others interfere in our affairs and dictate to us, we should be able to say, 'no, we are Maldivians, we will make our decisions,'" he said.
Muizzu said he would govern for all citizens and not take back flats or land plots awarded by the current government.
"We aren't going to be giving plots from an imaginary world or flats from an imaginary world. We won't take back anything that any citizen has got or is about to get," Muizzu said.
