Candidates except Muizz want jobs via runoff coalition, says pres

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said on Monday that the candidates contesting the elections, apart from the main opposition PPM-PNC's Dr Mohamed Muizz, are seeking positions in the government by dividing the votes and forming a coalition in the second round.

Speaking to the people of Baa Atoll, where he is currently campaigning for the upcoming presidential elections, the president said that some people are contesting the elections to divide the votes and take the elections to the second round.

Candidates are trying to form a coalition in the second round with whoever gets one or second vote in the election and get jobs in the government, he said.

"Or they want to achieve another goal. There is nothing else," he said.

Meanwhile, the president also criticised the manifesto of opposition PPM-PNC candidate Muizz.

The president said the opposition is announcing what the MDP and the allied parties has already announced to do for the people. Only a letter or a syllable is changed, he said.

"He said yesterday that he would provide basic services to rural areas in his government. Look at what he has done in all this time? He is the longest serving planning minister in Maldives," he said.

The president questioned whether nobody saw the basic services that are being established in the islands now.

The region, which includes Goidhoo, Fulhadhoo and Fehendhoohoo, is a potentially beneficial area for the economy of the country. This is an area that, if used properly, could bring many times more vitality to the economy, he said.

Speaking at Fulhadhoo, thepPresident said a resort would be built in the lagoon. With that, all the basic services needed in the islands will be completed and the economy will triple, he said.

If elected for another term, the president promised to do the following for Fehendhoo: