The Maldives National Party (MNP) has endorsed the PPM-PNC presidential candidate, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, for the second round of the presidential election. The decision was taken by a majority of the MNP council at a meeting held Monday night.
While some MNP officials have confirmed this endorsement to AVAS, the party has not issued an official statement on the matter as of yet. However, the officials have indicated that a statement detailing the decisions made during the meeting will be released at a later time.
MNP's President, Mohamed Nazim, contested the first round of the presidential election on Saturday along with seven other candidates. While Nazim received a modest 1,907 votes, Dr. Muizzu emerged as the leading contender with an impressive 100,342 votes. Incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Soloh followed behind with 84,805 votes. As no candidate could secure the 50 percent majority required for a single-round victory, a second round has been confirmed, heightening the significance of forming alliances with other parties to secure victory.
Following his triumph in the first round, Dr. Muizzu has invited candidates and rival parties to join his campaign for the second round. No party has yet decided on Muizzu's invitation thus far.
The second round of voting is slated for September 30.
