One out of the two Gayyoom siblings who contested in Saturday's parliamentary election has secured a seat.
Faris Maumoon, elder son of former president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom and current MP of Dhiggaru constituency suffered a disappointing defeat against MDP candidate Mohamed Rasheed, with both having contested for Macchagolhu Uthuru constituency.
The younger Gayyoom sibling Gassan Maumoon sailed through and won the Thaa Guraidhoo seat in a landslide victory against current MP of the constituency, Hussain Manik Dhon Manik.
While Faris contested in the election with his father's endorsement, Gassan did not have his father's backing as he contested in the parliament on paternal uncle, former president Yameen Abdul Gayyoom's opposing Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)'s ticket. His competitors included an opponent endorsed by his own father.
Gassan previously contested for the parliament and was defeated with the difference of a few votes. Faris was elected as Dhiggaru MP in a bi-election held mid-term after the seat became vacant.
Faris has played a key role in the parliament in his efforts towards reform. His countless efforts to impeach then-Speaker of the parliament Ahmed Maseeh had landed him in jail several times.
