Some senior government officials have resigned from Jumhooree Party (JP) and have expressed their support for President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
As such, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) Adam Azim and Managing Director of Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC) Hassan Shah have announced their resignation from JP and pledged their support to President Solih for the upcoming presidential election. In their resignation letters, they said that re-electing President Solih for a second term is the best choice for the citizens and the country.
Other members who received their government positions on the JP slot have also come out in support of President Solih. Some ministers have also reportedly decided to pledge their support to the president, but none have yet resigned from JP.
JP, who is part of the ruling government coalition, has decided to field its own presidential candidate as the leader of its own coalition and party leader Qasim Ibrahim was the only member to submit his candidacy for the primary election. Of the remaining coalition partners, Adhalaath Party (AP) has decided to rejoin the coalition for a second term and the Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) has not yet announced a decision. However, the Maldives Development Alliance has joined the ruling coalition led by the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
The presidential election will be held on September 9. Individuals who have officially announced their bid to run in the election are President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, former President Abdulla Yameen, President of Maldives National Party (MNP) Mohamed Nazim, and former Attorney General (AG) Dr. Mohamed Munavvaru.