Independent candidate in the first round of the presidential election, Umar Naseer, has decided not to endorse any candidate in the second round of the election.
In the first round, Umar produced a surprising result, placing fourth among eight candidates. He received 6,343 votes, equivalent to 2.8 percent of total votes. PPM-PNC candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu emerged as the leading contender with 46 percent of the votes, while incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih garnered 39 percent of the votes.
Umar Thursday said Maldivians have experienced governments of both the opposing Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the main-ruing Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). While it is evident how things played out during both governments, he has decided not to endorse any candidate for the second round, he said.
"The debt increased during both the governments. Huge loans were taken, and useless projects were implemented," Umar said.
Umar further said he did not want to be a person who supported and strengthened these parties for such reasons.
Regarding the presidential campaign, Umar said he prepared about 200 t-shirts and 120 banners for his campaign. He emphasized that the election's outcome has shown that setting up booths and playing loud music in island campaign centers was a waste of money.
Umar had also contested the 2008 presidential election, during which he received 2,472 votes.
