The opposing coalition has given its leader and presidential candidate, former President Abdullah Yameen, the authority to personally select his running mate, denying rumors of any prior appointment.
Though the party's constitution allows the presidential candidate to nominate a running mate, Yameen expressed his desire for the coalition's leadership to suggest potential candidates. However, in a unanimous decision, the coalition's leadership has empowered Yameen to exercise his prerogative to choose a running mate in line with the party's charters.
Despite the PPM-PNC coalition naming Yameen as their presidential candidate, he is ineligible to contest the September election as he is serving an 11-year prison sentence on a money laundering and bribery conviction. Despite this setback, the coalition remains optimistic, awaiting a higher court verdict overturning the lower court's decision. In preparation for this possibility, the coalition is actively working on submitting Yameen's candidacy papers to the Election Commission and has appointed an election agent on his behalf.
