Maldives’s Presidential election candidacy window opens from July 23 to August 7
The deadline for submission of nomination forms has been extended from 10 days to 14 days.
Male: According to the Elections Commission (EC), candidacy for the presidential elections will be open from July 23 and will have a 14-day window, as per the amendments made in the Presidential Elections Act.
According to a tweet by Elections Commission Vice President Ismail Habeeb, candidates can submit their applications from July 23 to August 7 at the main elections center, Dharubaaruge.
The deadline for submission of nomination forms has been extended from 10 days to 14 days.
Habeeb said that while the amendment affects the application timeline, it will not change the date of the draw to assign numbers for the candidates.
The draw will be held on August 9, allowing for a 30-day campaign period.
EC has released the voters list, which includes over 283,000 eligible voters for the upcoming election on September 9.
Several candidates have announced their intention to run in the presidential election, including Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the candidate from the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who is seeking a second term.
Former President Abdulla Yameen, representing the largest opposition party, is awaiting a court order on his appeal against his prison sentence. Qasim Ibrahim, leader of the Jumhooree Party (JP), and Mohamed Nazim, the candidate for the Maldives National Party (MNP), have also expressed their intention to run for presidency.
The newly formed Democrats party has announced its plan to field a candidate as well.
Additionally, former Home Minister Umar Naseer and former Attorney General Dr. Mohamed Munavvar have expressed their intention to contest the election as well.
Since the implementation of the new constitution, presidential elections in the Maldives have often gone to a second round. During this process, political parties have formed coalitions, resulting in a unified candidacy for the presidency after the first round of voting.
The 2018 Maldivian presidential election saw the president being elected in a single round, breaking the trend of multiple rounds.
