In last-minute u-turn, Yameen backs PNC's Muizz

Jailed opposition leader Abdulla Yameen on Monday changed his stance to boycott the upcoming presidential election in a last-minute u-turn, and decided to back main opposition PPM's affiliate PNC candidate Dr Mohamed Muizz to contest from the PPM-PNC coalition. 

The Supreme Court on Sunday upheld the Elections Commission's rejection of Yameen's candidacy over his 11-year jail sentence and the unpaid fine of USD 5 million.

Following the Supreme Court judgement, Yameen ordered a boycott of the election.

The PPM-PNC senate decided to contest the election "for Yameen's sake", but Yameen rejected the senate vote Sunday evening. 

Yameen communicated his change in stance via a phone call with PNC president Abdul Raheem Abdulla while they were at the election headquarters at Dharubaaruge Monday morning to hand over Male mayor Muizz's nomination papers to the Elections Commission.

Muizz handed over his nomination papers to EC chief Fuad Thaufeeq, in the presence of Abdul Raheem and PPM Secretary General Mohamed Tholal.

Later, in a message to the media, Tholal said Yameen had changed his mind by considering that "the best thing for the Progressive Congress coalition and for the people of the country would be to field a candidate from the Progressive Congress coalition in accordance with the wishes of the senate, ordinary members and at least a hundred thousand Maldivians".

Muizz was elected as PNC candidate after Yameen instructed the PNC to field a candidate in case Yameen failed his bid to secure his candidacy through the Supreme Court.

However, top PPM officials later told reporters that Muizz was "plan C", and "plan B" was still to field a candidate from PPM even if the Supreme Court ruled against Yameen. 

The Supreme Court, however, did not grant Yameen's request to extend the nomination deadline, so that PPM can filed an alternate candidate in case Yameen loses his motion.