President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has on Friday said that “no one should be barred from contesting in elections.”

The president said this after casting his vote for his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s primary election in the evening. The main ruling party is preparing for April’s parliamentary elections.

Noting that MDP’s democratic activities “are important,” President Solih emphasized that “no one should be barred from contesting in an election.”

“Work to bar [anyone] from contesting in elections cannot be accepted,” he said, adding that he believes that such things are “against democratic principles.”

In addition, President Solih noted that the constitution already "cleary" states the requirements of an individual running for a parliament seat and that creating additional conditions targeting certain individuals is against the consitution.

His words are directed towards a bill proposed to parliament, barring former presidents from contesting in the parliamentary elections.

While the bill was submitted by Dhihdhoo constituency MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed- representing Jumhooree Party, which is part of the government coalition- MDP has warned that it could create ‘a rift’ within the joint parliamentary group. The party sees the bill “undermining an individual’s political rights” as a direct move against leader Nasheed.

JP’s parliamentary group leader has said that the bill was proposed without consulting with the party and that MP Latheef has since been asked to withdraw it.

However, the lawmaker has refused to do so, saying that his stand on the matter has not changed.

In addition, Jumhooree Party’s leader and current parliament speaker Qasim Ibrahim recently criticized MDP’s leader former President Mohamed Nasheed, saying that he is “disappointed” in him.