A number of attending participants of an ‘ask-all’ session with the ruling party’s running mate, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, have expressed disappointment with the event.

The ‘Ask Shaheem’ event, held on Friday, was advertised as an opportunity for the youth to ask their potential vice president any question of their choosing.

Instead, participants say they were asked to write down the questions they have in a piece of paper handed out to them by event organizers, which were then screened.

Participants claimed they were only allowed to ask questions that were approved by Shaheem’s staff. The event, despite heavy advertising, only let about 12 participants question the vice-presidential candidate.

RaajjeMV journalists covering the event reported that it began later than the scheduled time of 08:30pm due to low attendance. They also claimed that rows of chairs were removed from the premises due to this reason.

The event was organized and held by Shaheem, a former Islamic Minsiter and a prominent religious lecturer. Shaheem is to be incumbent President Abdulla Yameen’s running mate for the upcoming elections.