Maldives' ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) late Sunday officially handed over the party's presidential ticket to incumbent president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
PPM council had unanimously announced its decision to hand the ticket to president Yameen without a presidential primary in May. The decision was later validated by the country's electoral watchdog after it found no contradictions or violations of the party's charter.
President Yameen would largely go up against opposition alliance presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in September.
Though former home minister Umar Naseer had publicly announced his intention to contest as an independent candidate.
Elections Commission had said the deadline to file candidacy for the crunch elections on September 23 would remain open until August 4 before extending to August 10.
President Yameen is now expected to join Solih in filing his presidential candidacy in the next few days.
