Report: Uncertainty Looms over Opposition Coalition’s Presidential Candidate

The approaching deadline for filing nominations for the September presidential elections has left the formation of the country’s largest opposition coalition in question. While the PPM and PNC, two opposition parties under the same leadership, have named former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom as their candidate, legal constraints make his candidacy unlikely. Consequently, the opposition coalition faces the pressing question of selecting an alternative candidate.
President Yameen’s Candidacy Challenge
Former President Yameen’s eligibility to run for elections was contingent upon a higher court overturning a lower court’s verdict on bribery charges against him. The appeal process is ongoing in the High Court, making it improbable for a verdict to be reached before the nomination deadline.
Despite the challenges, the leadership of the PPM/PNC coalition, spearheaded by President Yameen, remains steadfast in their determination to field him as the candidate, despite dissenting voices within the coalition.
Potential Postponement of the Presidential Election
Given the uncertainty surrounding Yameen’s candidacy, speculations have arisen regarding the potential postponement of the election. If the Election Commission (EC) rejects Yameen’s candidacy, the opposition coalition could file a case with the Supreme Court.
In such a scenario, legal experts believe that the court might issue an order to prolong the election process until a verdict is reached on President Yameen’s case. However, this remains an uncommon situation, leaving the opposition coalition to contemplate their next steps if Yameen’s candidacy is not accepted or if the election is not postponed.
The Question of Backup Candidates
To mitigate the risks associated with Yameen’s uncertain candidacy, it is reported by sources that the PPM/PNC coalition plans to submit two nominations for the presidential election. One is President Yameen himself, while the identity of the backup candidate remains a mystery.
Several individuals within the coalition, such as current Male’ City Council Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Ghassan Maumoon, and former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed, have been mentioned as potential backup candidates. The definite candidate, however, is yet to be disclosed.
Challenges to Opposition Unity
The opposition coalition faces internal challenges in the absence of President Yameen as a candidate.
The opposition coalition grapples with uncertainty surrounding their presidential candidate selection. With legal obstacles impeding former President Yameen’s candidacy, the coalition must navigate internal divisions and potential conflicts of interest.
As the nomination deadline draws near, the opposition coalition faces a challenging decision that could significantly impact their chances in the forthcoming presidential elections.