President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided not to support Mohamed Aftab (Aap), who is contesting on a People's National Congress (PNC) ticket for Galolhu Uthuru after winning the PNC primary for the constituency, Adhadhu has learned.
A close associate of Aftab with knowledge of the matter told Adhadhu that after withdrawing support for Aftab, President Muizzu has now endorsed Aminath Miyadha (Aana), who is contesting as an independent candidate after losing the PNC primary.
"The President didn't support [Aftab] from the beginning. Ties improved after discussions with the leadership. However, the President has now decided again to not support Aap and to support Aana," the person said.
Aana only received 30 votes in the PNC primary.
Following the President's decision to support the independent candidate for the upcoming parliamentary election, Aana attended a campaign rally with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in Hulhumale' phase two on Tuesday night. All candidates contesting in the Male' area were present at the rally except for Aftab.
Moreover, Aftab's photo was also missing from a campaign billboard put up in Hulhumale' on Tuesday with all the candidates contesting for Male' constituencies.
President Muizzu previously called on PNC candidates to drop out despite winning the ticket through the party primary if the government has endorsed another candidate contesting in the constituency.
The President also urged voters to elect the candidate backed by the government if the PNC candidate refuses to withdraw.
"I urge our members as well, if those principally involved in this go ahead without compromising, to let them go and to go forward in the same line with the government."
Despite the President's support for independent candidates against PNC candidates, the PNC's statutes clearly detail the responsibilities of party members.
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The statutes make it obligatory for members of the PNC to seek support and vote for candidates contesting general elections on the party's ticket. There are also ways to take action if a member violates the statutes.
The failure to perform the duties of members as stipulated in the statutes is something that can cause disciplinary action.
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Among the measures to be taken against those who violate the party's statutes include;
- issue warning
- suspension from party post
- withhold the right to contest in party elections for a certain period of time
- suspension from party activities
- expulsion from the party
- In addition to these measures, the Members' Affairs Committee also has the power to take other disciplinary action.
The statutes do not distinguish between senior party leaders and ordinary members.
