Jumhooree Party (JP) has announced that all four of their candidates are eligible for the position of opposition running mate.

While the opposition coalition parties have agreed to back an MDP member as their candidate and a JP member as their running mate, MDP has elected Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as their candidate while JP is set to elect a running mate in a secret vote on Friday night.

The four JP members vying for the position of running mate are JP deputy leader Dr. Hussain Rasheed, former minister at the President’s Office Abdulla Ameen, Kaashidhoo MP Faisal Naseem, and Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain.

Although JP deputy leader Abdula Mausoom expressed interest in the position, he later said he did not apply for candidacy in order to contribute to the party in a leadership role.

Aishath Nahula, JP council member and party leader Qasim Ibrahim’s wife, has said she was not interested in contesting, despite support from some party members.

At a press conference at JP headquarters on Friday, party secretary general Ahmed Sameer said that all the four candidates are eligible for the position and that they will hold a secret vote to elect the running mate at 9pm.

41 JP council members will be joining in the vote, but not party leader Qasim, who is in exile abroad.