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.
The Constitution of the Maldives stipulates that a President should be elected every five years. Three competitive presidential elections have been held in 2008, 2013 and 2018 under the multi-party system. However, four presidents have served in office during this period. They are Mohamed Nasheed, Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, Abdulla Yameen and incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Political parties and candidates have begun campaigning for the presidential election to be held on September 9. The parties have awarded their tickets to candidates, including 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.
The opposition coalition has urged authorities to postpone the presidential election until former President Yameen receives justice. The High Court is set to deliver its verdict on his appeal case before August 7, but a delay is expected due to one of the judges being on holiday, pushing the next hearing beyond the original schedule.
Furthermore, ECM stated that candidates will be able to spend their funds on the campaign by opening an account in the name of the candidate. The electoral body advised candidates to open a dedicated bank account (newly opened account) in the name of the candidate at a bank operating in the Maldives to cover all election-related expenses.
Every candidate will be required to pay all expenses related to the election through the newly opened bank account. ECM and the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) has held meetings with political parties to provide information about the precautions that need to be taken by candidates in opening special bank accounts for the election.
ECM has assured that the presidential election will be free and fair and that all candidates that meet the requirements will be given the opportunity to contest. The electoral body is focused on ensuring that the election is transparent.