JP begins 2-day congress; pres poll resolution tabled

Jumhooree Party (JP), which has played a key role in winning every presidential election held so far, began its fourth national congress on Friday.

The opening ceremony of the conference in Dharubaaruge was attended by party leader Gasim Ibrahim along with leaders of the ruling coalition which includes JP:

During the two-day conference, attendees at Friday's sessions will vote on proposals to amend the party's basic rules and elect members to internal posts of the party.

A decision on a resolution on the party contesting the upcoming presidential elections has been scheduled for Saturday.

Jumhooree Party, which is currently in the ruling coalition, has been invited by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to come out in the September presidential election in alliance with MDP. The president's invitation was extended to other coalition partners in the government, but so far only the Adhaalath Party has taken a decision on the invitation. Adhaalath decided on Wednesday to support President Solih.

JP leader Gasim Ibrahim contested the presidential elections in 2008 and 2013 out of the three elections held since the adoption of the new constitution. However, there were not enough votes in either of the two elections required to go to the second round.

The last time the 2018 presidential elections came, Gasim could not contest due to a prison sentence at the time.

However, in the previous three elections, each candidate managed to win by forging an alliance with JP.