Thimarafushi MP Abdulla Riyaz has vowed to help elect President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s pick for parliament speaker and deputy speaker.

In a tweet on Sunday, MP Riyaz, who has been re-elected to the 19th parliament, said that he will help gain support of his fellow Jumhooree Party (JP) members to get the President’s pick elected, adding that fulfilling his constituency’s hopes rely on government support.

JP, a party in the government coalition, won five seats in the election.

A trusted source told RaajjeMV that President Solih has been lobbying for Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef for speaker.

Four other members of main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) have expressed interest in the position, they are Central-Henveiru MP Ali Azim, North-Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Aslam, Maradhoo MP Ibrahim Shareef, with Addu-Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam.

MDP leader and Central-Mahchangolhi MP-elect Mohamed Nasheed has been lobbying for Aslam.

MDP has stated that their members will be given the opportunity to vie for the position, after which the parliamentary group will take a vote.