Opposition calls to delay election until 'justice' for Yameen
Yameen's 11-year sentence has been appealed in the High Court, but the appeal hearings have stalled as several judges are on leave.
By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
Opposition leaders on Tuesday called on the authorities to postpone the presidential election slated for September 9 until a decision is taken on the candidacy of their jailed leader, former president Abdulla Yameen.
The opposition PPM/PNC has handed over their presidential ticket to Yameen. However, while the ticket was handed over:
-
Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in jail on December 25 for money laundering and accepting a bribe over the leasing of V. Aarah for tourism as part of the MMPRC corruption scandal
-
The verdict has been appealed in the High Court but the appeal hearings have stalled as several judges are on leave
-
Criminal Court is hearing two additional charges against him linked to the MMPRC corruption scandal
-
The Elections Commission will open nominations for the presidential election on Sunday, with the deadline set for August 7
-
The PPM/PNC has been expressing concern over the delay in the appeal hearings, as the nomination deadline looms
Senior opposition leaders have been visiting relevant authorities every day to express concern over the expedited trial in the Criminal Court and the stalled appeal hearing.
Speaking to the reporters after visiting the High Court on Tuesday, PPM/PNC interim leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla said Chief Justice Muhthasim Adnan should take action to ensure justice for Yameen and find a solution to respect the people's wishes.
Calling on authorities not to hold the election in such a way that Yameen cannot run, Abdul Raheem said Yameen had the support of more than 100,000 voters. He also demanded that Yameen be given the right to campaign.
"An election without Yameen will not be fair. Don't do that. Don't hold this year's election unless President Yameen can run," he said.
The PPM/PNC coalition was the first to field a candidate for the election, but President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih is now campaigning after jailing Yameen, Abdul Raheem said.
He said the government is trying to keep Yameen in jail because President Solih does not dare to contest the election with him.
