Parliamentary polls: Ex-President Maumoon's MRM to contest in 32 constituencies

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) is to field 32 candidates in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

While the party is yet to be officially registered, the former president had on Thursday announced plans to register the Maumoon Reform Movement as a political party.

MRM had, in early January, opened opportunity for interested members to contest in the parliamentary elections.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s Fala Surukhee programme on Saturday, MRM’s senior official Abdul Aleem revealed that a total of 108 individuals had applied seeking Maumoon’s support for the elections.

While they were to officially announce the total number of candidates running for parliament through MRM on Sunday, Aleem told RaajjeTV that they will be competing in 32 constituencies, out of 87.

However, he did not name the constituencies.

Aleem said that the individuals were shortlisted after discussions with constituents.

Furthermore, noting that five women had applied to contest for parliament, he said that they will be given “priority.”

While the Maldives Reform Movement is yet to be registered, Aleem said that they will be submitting required forms to do so at the Elections Commission (EC) “latest by Monday.”

Those that are to compete through MRM include the movement’s deputy leader Aminath Nadhira. In addition, former President Maumoon’s son on Friday announced that he will be contesting for North-Mahchangoalhi constituency. While unconfirmed, he is also expected to run through MRM.