The ruling party has officially filed incumbent President Abdulla Yameen’s bid for re-election, with the Elections Commission of the Maldives.

The candidacy form was filed on Thursday along with that of running mate, and former Islamic Minister, Sheikh Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed.

The forms were received by commission chief Ahmed Shareef in an event held at their office. The forms were filed by Tourism Minister Moosa Zameer, a senior official of the party.

The commission said it will decide on whether or not to accept President Yameen’s candidacy within the next 48 hours. If accepted, Yameen will be the third candidate contesting September’s ballots.

Speaking at the event, Minister Zameer said that the president could not attend due to him being preoccupied with campaign trips to the out lying islands.

The commission previously said that it has released seven candidacy forms thus far, and therefore expects more candidates to apply. The deadline for submissions will expire at 16:00 on Friday.