Faris becomes sole contender for MRM pres ticket
MRM on Thursday announced that it has formally rejected an invitation from President Solih to renew coalition agreement.
Faris Maumoon, president of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's Maldives Reform Movement (MRM), has become the sole contender for the party's presidential ticket.
MRM opened nominations for the presidential ticket on Tuesday, with the deadline set for 4pm on Thursday.
Faris, who submitted his candidacy Thursday afternoon, became the sole contender after no other candidates filed their nominations by the deadline.
The primary will be held on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, MRM on Thursday announced that it has formally rejected an invitation from President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to renew the existing coalition agreement for a second term.
In May, President Solih invited all existing coalition partners who backed his presidency bid in 2018 including MRM, Jumhooree Party (JP) and Adhaalath Party to support him for a second term in office as he contests the September 9 election.
After a prolonged delay, MRM said in a statement on Thursday that its executive committee has voted to not back enter into a coalition the president's MDP in the first round. The party cited differences in opinion over "certain policies" presented by MDP during the negotiations.
MRM has been dissolved by the Election Commission (EC) for not reaching the legally required 3,000 members. However, the decision is yet to be implemented due to a stay order by the Civil Court.
