Gasim asks JP members to back their choice without party representation

Although Jumhoory Party (JP) has decided not to support any particular candidate in the second round of the presidential election, its members will have the opportunity to support and vote for any candidate they want without representing the party, JP leader Gasim Ibrahim said on Sunday.

After JP's defeat in the presidential election held on September 9, the party held coalition talks with the PPM-PNC and MDP, which went to the second round. However, the party's council meeting on Saturday approved that the JP should not work as a coalition partner of any party.

In a statement addressed to the party's members, Gasim said every member would have the opportunity to support the candidate of their choice without using the name of the party.

Gasim said the JP council's decision on Saturday to remain a non-partisan party could violate the rights of its members.

“[Therefore], I am saying this for the information of all members as I believe that it is the constitutional right of every JP member to support and vote for the candidate they want without using the name of the party,” he said.

Gasim issued the statement while JP Secretary General (SG) Ali Arif had resigned from the post to campaign for Dr Mohammed Muizz, the PNC-PPM candidate.

Former Kelaa MP Arif told Atoll Times on Sunday that he decided to resign from the post because he wanted to support Muizz in the second round of the presidential election. He said he did not think it was the best way to do so while in a senior position in the party.

Muizz, the opposition candidate who won the first round of this year's presidential election with the most votes, is first cousin to Arif..