Main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has said that its candidates will submit their nomination papers for the 19th parliamentary elections at the Elections Commission (EC) “this week.”
Speaking at a press conference held on Sunday, the party’s deputy secretary general and ‘Agenda 19’ spokesperson, Afshan Ali said that they are working on filing all candidacy papers this week and that they are currently in the process of getting court clearances.
This will be completed in about three days, she added.
Furthermore, Afshan said that the candidates will be submitting their papers in a ‘colourful’ event.
MDP will also hold a special event across the country this Thursday, where candidates will publicize their campaign posters.
EC had last week announced 21 February as the deadline to submit candidacy applications.
While the Commission has also established a national complaints bureau to attend to complaints regarding April’s parliamentary elections, MDP said that they will complete examination of voters list and do so before the deadline on February 9.
The party is contesting in 86 out of the 87 constituencies; there were no candidates for the Faafu Nilandhoo constituency.
Other ruling coalition partners have announced the number of seats they will be contesting in the upcoming parliamentary elections as well; Jumhooree Party (JP) is to contest in 36 constituencies, Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) in 32 while Adhaalath Party is to contest for 13 seats.
MDP’s decision to compete in all constituencies seems to have caused a rift in the coalition, with JP revealing readiness to work with other parties.
In addition, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC) have formed a coalition- Progressive Coalition- and are to work together in the parliamentary elections.
Jailed former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb’s Maldives Third-Way Democratc (MTD) has also announced that it will be fielding candidates for the election.
The parliamentary elections are to be held on April 6.
