The Democrats' presidential candidate, Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb, has submitted his candidacy form to the Election Commission to contest the upcoming presidential election.
Ilyas Labeeb handed over his candidacy form to Election Commission's President Chairman Fuwad Thawfeek at a ceremony held at the Dharubaaruge Election Center today. He was accompanied by his running mate and former STO Managing Director Hussain Amr.
Ilyas Labeeb's candidacy was unanimously endorsed in the party's primary on July 28, where he stood as the sole contender. Of the 3,208 people that voted in the primary from across the country, 3,041 voted in favor of granting the ticket to Ilyas. While 153 people voted against the ticket, nine votes were invalid.
Meanwhile, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, vying for re-election under the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s banner, has also successfully submitted his candidacy forms to the EC earlier today. Maldives National Party (MNP) candidate Mohamed Nazim has also submitted his candidacy forms.
The bid of PPM's presidential candidate, Abdullah Yameen, who was the first to file his candidacy forms, was met with a swift rejection by the EC based on the fact that he is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence. Although the decision was challenged by Yameen at the Supreme Court, the top court upheld EC's decision as correct.
Although candidates from Jumhooree Party, Maldives Reform Movement, the People's National Congress, and former Home Minister Umar Naseer have announced their intent to join the presidential race, they are yet to formalize their candidacies with the countdown to the candidacy submission deadline nearing its final day.
