Kaashidhoo MP Faisal Naseem has been elected as the running mate for the opposition coalition parties.

He was elected with 15 votes at the Jumhooree Party (JP) council meeting on Friday night.

The other JP members that vied for the position of running mate are: JP deputy leader Dr. Hussain Rasheed, former minister at the President’s Office Abdulla Ameen, and Kendhoo MP Ali Hussain.

While 41 JP council members took part in the secret ballot, one vote was nullified.

The result of the vote is as follows:

1. Dr. Hussain Rasheed Hassan - 2 Votes

2. Abdulla Ameen - 9 Votes

3. Ali Hussein - 14 Votes

4. Faisal Naseem- 15 Votes

The opposition coalition has agreed to back a member of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) as their presidential candidate and a member of JP as their running mate.

MDP elected Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as the candidate at their third party congress.