After being declared the running mate of the opposition coalition's presidential candidate, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Kaashidhoo MP Faisal Naseem said that their work is also the work of the citizens and that they are now close to victory.

Faisal was elected as Solih's running mate at Jumhoree Party (JP) council’s secret ballot on Friday night.

In an interview with RaajjeTV after winning the ballot, Faisal said that victory will be determined by the work of the citizens and expressed confidence in his ability to work people with different political opinions to succeed in bringing about a better nation.

“This is the work of Maldivian citizens, not of one or two people. This is also not just the work of the four party leaders. Their work and sacrifices were for the sake of the citizens.”

Faisal also said that he was happy to receive the opportunity to work with the Joint Opposition’s presidential candidate, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, and vowed to work with him to defeat President Abdulla Yameen and bring about reform that the people want.

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 Vote

3. Ali Hussain - 14 Votes

4. Faisal Naseem- 15 Votes

Praising Kendhoo Ali Hussain, who lost by one vote, Faisal said that Hussain might even be more capable than him and that the opposition coalition parties will only succeed in their work by working with such capable people in the nation.