Yameen asks SC for extension to field alternate PPM candidate

Although main opposition PPM's affiliate PNC elected Male mayor Dr Mohamed Muizz as their presidential candidate to act as a backup if PPM candidate, former President Abdulla Yameen, fails to secure his candidacy through the Supreme Court, Atoll Times has learned that Yameen had asked the Supreme Court to order the Elections Commission to extend the nomination deadline in order to nominate an alternate candidate from PPM. 

Yameen made the request in the constitutional motion filed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday after the Elections Commission (EC) rejected his candidacy citing his 11-year jail sentence for accepting a bribe and money laundering as part of the MMPRC corruption scandal.

The Supreme Court has scheduled the first hearing on the motion for Friday afternoon. 

Atoll Times has learned that Yameen requested two main things in the case:

When asked about the request, Adam Shameem, one of Yameen's lawyers, said the public would know what was and was not in the charge sheet at the Friday hearing.

However, more than two sources in the PPM-PNC leadership confirmed to Atoll Times that the Supreme Court has been asked to give a chance to a PPM candidate in case Yameen is unable to contest.

Therefore, if Yameen cannot contest the presidential election even if he has a PNC candidate, if the Supreme Court gives him the opportunity, there is room for him to contest the presidential election with a candidate from the PPM, sources told Atoll Times.

"If the court gives the PPM that opportunity, it is possible to field another candidate in the name of the PPM. [Therefore] Muizz will be the third option," a senior PPM official said on condition of anonymity.

Another PPM-PNC leadership member said that despite the request in the Supreme Court, the PPM is unlikely to field a candidate again as Muizz has been nominated as the PNC candidate, which is in coalition with PPM.

"If that is decided, there will be a huge division within the party. Now the PNC candidate has been determined following President Yameen’s instructions," he said.

"I don't believe President Yameen will make such a decision again."

Muizz left the PPM and signed up to the PNC to contest the PNC presidential ticket. If the PPM senate nominates a candidate at Yameen's behest, Muizz will have no chance of winning the PPM presidential ticket now.

Yameen's election agent and PPM Secretary General Mohammed Tholal said the date of submission of Muizz's candidacy forms has not been decided yet.

"[Before deciding to submit the form] there will be the appointment of the candidate's running mate and agent. And the record cleaning. And an auditor will have to be appointed," Tholal said.