The opposition coalition partner, the People's National Congress (PNC), has chosen the Mayor of Male' City Dr. Mohamed Muizzu as the party's presidential candidate.
During a meeting of the PNC Senate, Mayor Muizzu received 25 votes from the members, beating his opponent, Parliamentarian Adam Shareef Umar, who received 23 votes. Muizzu was chosen as a backup option in case their preferred candidate, former President Abdulla Yameen, is unable to contest in the primary election.
The main opposition coalition has chosen former President Yameen as their candidate for the upcoming presidential election. However, the Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) stated that he currently does not meet the qualifications to become a presidential candidate, in accordance with Article 109(f) of the Constitution, as he is serving an 11-year prison sentence on charges of corruption and money laundering.
The Supreme Court has accepted former President Abdulla Yameen's case to appeal the rejection of his candidacy for the presidential election and is expected to make a decision within seven days. The Constitution states that such cases shall be decided by a bench consisting of all justices of the Supreme Court and that the decision of the Supreme Court shall be final.