
Amr says didn't contest primary to protect party interests
Only Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb had submitted nomination papers when the deadline expired at 4pm on Saturday.
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By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
Former STO Managing Director Hussain Amr, who was expected to contest The Democrats presidential primary, said on Sunday he did not contest the primary to safeguard the party's interests.
Amr was expected to contest the presidential primary, but only Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb had submitted nomination papers when the deadline expired at 4pm on Saturday.
When asked by Atoll Times on Sunday about the reason for not contesting the primary, Amr said that he does not believe in himself contesting the primary as the presidential election is so close and the Elections Commission has opened for candidacy submission.
"[In such a situation], contesting the primary will severely hamper the presidential campaign, the whole campaign will stop and the whole focus will go to the primary," he said.
According to the Democrats' charter:
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The party's presidential candidate has to be decided via a primary, which should be a secret ballot among all party members
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If only one candidate is in the fray, a referendum should be held
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The candidate must secure at least 10% of the votes in the referendum
According to the timeline announced by the Democrats on Thursday:
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Filing of complaints on the list of eligible voters will also close at 4pm on Saturday
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The list of candidates will be released on Sunday at 4pm
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Polling will be held from 2-6pm on Friday, July 28