Independent presidential candidate Ahmed Faris Maumoon decided on Wednesday not to support either candidate in the second round run-off.
At a press conference with youth supporters of the Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) party that he leads, Faris said he made the decision after consulting with activists and the party's council.
"[Because of the way] parties are operated, parties are funded, I don't think we could see what we want from either of those parties," he said, referring to the MRM's experience as a coalition partner in President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's government.
The MRM's aim is to field many candidates and win as many seats as possible in the 2024 parliamentary elections, Faris said.
Before deciding to stay neutral, Faris submitted a paper with seven conditions to both candidates contesting in the second round, including maintaining the existing presidential system and disclosing agreements signed with India by the current administration.
Faris is the eldest son of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ruled the country for 30 years. During the previous government, father and son were expelled from the PPM amid disagreements with former President Abdulla Yameen, Maumoon's half-brother.
The MRM was formed after Maumoon lost a lawsuit to regain control over the PPM. The party was part of President Solih's coalition over the past five years.
But earlier this year, the Elections Commission (EC) decided to dissolve the largely inactive party after its membership fell below the minimum 3,000 required by law. A legal challenge against the decision is ongoing at court.
Faris contested as an independent candidate after submitting a support form with the signatures of 2,600 people. In the presidential election, Faris got 2,979 votes or 1.35 percent of the vote.
Faris previously served as MP for Dhiggaru in the 18th parliament. He contested for the Machchangoalhi Uthuru constituency in the 19th parliament but failed to win the seat.
