Zariyand says Yameen endorsed his independent mayoral bid
Zariyand said he had been an independent candidate from the outset and that Yameen had endorsed him at the rally.
Ismail Zariyand said on Tuesday that he is contesting the upcoming local council elections as an independent candidate, with the support of former President Abdulla Yameen, after other political parties he approached declined to assist him.
Zariyand announced his candidacy for the Malé mayoral election at a “Reset” rally organised by the People’s National Front (PNF) at Artificial Beach on 19 December. At the rally, Yameen launched Zariyand’s campaign and described him as a national candidate.
Yameen endorsed Zariyand, a former auditor and former finance minister, during the event. This led to speculation that Zariyand was contesting under the PNF banner.
Speaking to Atoll Times on Tuesday, Zariyand said he had been an independent candidate from the outset and that Yameen had endorsed him at the rally. He said he had already collected more than 50 signatures required to submit his nomination papers to the Elections Commission as an independent candidate.
Zariyand said he had approached other political parties seeking support to contest the elections with the aim of improving the administration of the Malé City Council. He said none of the parties offered assistance and that Yameen later advised him to run as an independent candidate and pledged his support.
He said Yameen did not ask him to join the PNF in order to contest the election and had expressed a preference to support an independent candidate for the Malé City Council.
“He asked me to come out as an independent candidate because he had followed my work and was satisfied with it. He said that no one had helped him and asked me to run independently, assuring me of his support,” Zariyand said.
Zariyand said he decided to contest the election after Yameen told him that someone with his background was needed to address issues at the Malé City Council. He added that he was not seeking a national political office and did not view the mayoral post as a political stronghold.
He said his objectives included organising the city’s administration, ensuring the rights of residents, improving municipal services, investigating corruption and unlawful activities within the Malé City Council, and using legal powers available to the council to address housing issues.
Yameen also addressed the rally and spoke in support of Zariyand. He said he wanted a candidate with experience to contest the mayoral post and said Zariyand had been selected because he considered him capable of carrying out the responsibilities of the office.
Yameen said Zariyand was a national candidate and not a political party candidate.
