Self exiled former President Mohamed Nasheed has openly challenged incumbent head of state Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom over presidential elections.
Nasheed claimed he will beat President Yameen by a landslide in an open and transparent election.
In a tweet, former head of state Nasheed, who was beaten by Yameen in the last presidential run said "President Yameen's administration introduced embezzlement, corruption and unrest."
"We are saying no to you [Yameen] because of these reasons. I am challenging you to hold an open and transparent election, I will hopefully win against you by a landslide," Nasheed said.
Nasheed had reciprocated after President Yameen claimed the former President's administration "grossly misconducted" while delivering his speech at ruling party's camp on Monday night.
President Yameen stressed former President's government was riddled with corruption, and "blackmailed and abducted government officials" for political gains, assuring his administration will not follow the same unethical policies.
He also accused Nasheed's administration of oppressing government authorities and pinning local police authority officials under favored politicians' thumbs.
Nasheed cannot run for presidency in the upcoming elections due to a running jail sentence on him which lasts for 13 years. The only window for MDP's founder in 2018's presidential election would be if Supreme Court decides to revoke the sentence.
However the former President has constantly reiterated his chance to run for president's office in the upcoming election. He has reported the case to United Nation's Human Rights Commission, in hopes to receive foreign intervention to Maldivian state to denounce his sentence.
