PPM’s plan is Yameen from A to Z: Abdul Raheem

PNC president and interim leader of the opposition coalition Abdul Raheem Abdullah said on Monday that jailed former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom will have no difficulty contesting the upcoming presidential elections and that the party's plan is Yameen from "A to Z".

There is a fear within the party that a PPM/PNC candidate may not contest the elections as Yameen's candidacy is in doubts due to his 11-year jail sentence for money laundering and bribery in connection to the MMPRC corruption scandal. 

Questions related to this were being directed at senior opposition leaders at a press conference held at the party office on Monday.

Speaking at the press conference, Abdul Raheem said that the court's decision was not an obstacle to accepting Yameen's candidacy. He said that in the absence of a final verdict, there will be no bar on accepting candidature.

"You're saying that the [appeal case in the high court] can't be concluded in time? If it's concluded, isn't it just the absence of a final verdict? The president of the Elections Commission has said that there is nothing barring the commission from accepting President Yameen's candidacy if there is no final verdict," Abdul Raheem said, assuring that Yameen's name will be on the list as soon as nominations for the upcoming presidential elections are opened.

Abdul Raheem also said that the opposition coalition was doing everything necessary to ensure Yameen's candidacy. The work is being carried out both at home and abroad and the results are showing, he said.

The PPM/PNC's plan, according to Abdul Raheem, is Yameen from A to Z. He says the more the government interferes in Yameen's case, the more confident his candidacy comes to the coalition.

Nominations for the September 9 presidential elections will open on July and will remain open till August. Abdul Raheem said on Monday that it would be an added relief as the court has to decide on the matter within 48 hours of filing nominations.