Self exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed Thursday announced his intention to stand for the next presidential elections after securing the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) ticket later this year.
Nasheed said he had decided to challenge President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in 2018 presidential elections following talks this week in Colombo with his MDP.
"We have decided that the MDP will produce a candidate, I am hopeful to be that candidate," the 49-year-old told reporters in Colombo after talks with party leaders who are living in exile in the Sri Lankan capital.
Nasheed was jailed on terror charges after he was convicted and sentenced to 13 years in prison over the arbitrary detention of a sitting judge while he was president.
Nasheed now lives in self imposed exile in the UK after he was allowed to leave to Britain on medical leave in an internationally brokered deal in January last year.
He would be able to contest party primaries from outside the country, but would need to return to Male for the election.
The Maldives constitution bars Nasheed from being a candidate because of a 2015 criminal conviction.
But the former leader expects the restriction to be lifted in response to international pressure.
