Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has stated that it will begin accepting candidates for the presidential election from July 23.
ECM initially announced that it will be accepting candidates from July 23 to August 3. However, the period has been extended to August 7 after the Parliament passed a bill to extend the period provided to submit candidacies to contest the presidential election from 10 days to 14 days.
Vice President of ECM Ismail Habeeb said that the electoral body will accept candidacy forms at its main headquarters at Dharubaaruge' convention centre from July 23 to August 7. Candidates will be able to campaign for 30 days and a list with the candidate numbers will be published on August 9.
The presidential election is scheduled to be held on September 9 and a possible second round will be held on September 30. ECM is currently working on finalising the voters' list and determining the locations to place the ballot boxes.
The individuals who have announced their intention to run in the election include President Solih, who won the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) primary election, and the candidate of the main opposition coalition former President Abdulla Yameen, who is serving an 11-year prison sentence over corruption and money laundering. He will receive the opportunity to run in the election if he wins the appeal case.
Additionally, Leader of Jumhooree Party (JP) Qasim Ibrahim and President of the Maldives National Party (MNP) Mohamed Nazim have received their party tickets while former Minister of Home Affairs Umar Naseer and former Attorney General (AG) Dr. Mohamed Munawar have also announced their intention to run in the election.