Maldivian government coalition leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has expressed his opposition to the bill barring former presidents from running for parliament. 

Maumoon, a former president himself, told a press conference on Thursday night that he believes the bill is unconstitutional.

The bill was submitted by fellow coalition partner Jumhooree Party aligned MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed.

MP Abdul Latheef’s bill was submitted without discussion with the parliamentary group, the party has said.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that he too believes the bill obstructs constitutional rights, and that he will not ratify it even if it makes through parliament. 

At Thursday’s conference, Maumoon also spoke on a bill, now in committee, review to lift a restriction on candidates who lose party primaries from contesting independently. 

Maumoon said that he believes the matter is debatable.