The Peoples' National Congress (PNC), part of the main opposition coalition PPM-PNC, has discussed fielding a candidate for the upcoming presidential election. This development arises despite the coalition's earlier assertion that they would only support their current presidential candidate, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Qayyoom, for the September election.
The PPM-PNC coalition granted their presidential ticket to their leader in February last year. However, after being convicted on money laundering and bribery charges in December 2022, he is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence, rendering him ineligible to contest the election. For him to be eligible, the lower court verdict must be overturned by a higher court.
In an interesting development, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)'s Secretary General and President Yameen's campaign agent Mohamed Tholal revealed to the media that discussions had taken place within the coalition about the possibility of nominating a candidate from PNC for the presidential election.
Tholal clarified that while discussions on PNC's candidate nomination have indeed occurred, no final decision has been reached. Ultimately, the coalition leader, President Yameen, will decide on the candidate selection, he said.
"The PPM-PNC leader is President Yameen. The leadership will seek the advice and consultation of the PPM-PNC leader in making important decisions of both parties," Tholal said
The window of opportunity remains open for those interested in contesting the presidential election. The deadline for submitting candidacy papers is set for the 7th of the next month.
