Azima to contest for Male mayorship on PPM-PNC ticket
Azima was a minister in the President's Office to give legal advice when the parliament was stopped by the army and police during the rule of Yameen.
By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
Former Attorney General Aishath Azima Shukoor has decided to contest the vacant Mayoral seat on the PPM-PNC ticket.
With Dr Mohamed Muizzu winning the presidential election this year, the mayor's seat will fall vacant after he is sworn in on November 17. Muizzu has decided:
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To keep his Mayors post until he is sworn in as president in November 17
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Deputy Mayor Ahmed Nareesh has been temporarily handed over the mayoral responsibilities until a new mayor is elected
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The election must be held within 60 days of the vacancy of the mayoral seat; so the election will be held on January
Azima has decided to contest the mayoral seat vacant with the swearing-in of Muizzu on the PPM-PNC ticket.
Azima has issued a statement saying:
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She decided to run for mayor because she has been in national service since the age of 17 and has an interest in serving the people closely
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There is still a lot of work to be done to develop the city area and she wants to take the initiative to do it for the people
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The development of the city area and services to the people have come to a virtual halt due to the ongoing disputes between the council, the mayor's office and the government
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The most beneficial way is to appoint an educated and honest Maldivian citizen who is capable of bringing development
"I can assure you that I will continue to serve diligently day and night, work with honest integrity and put the interests of the country first at all costs”, Azima, who is currently in court in the MMPRC case, said in a statement on Wednesday.
Azima has announced her decision to contest the mayoral seat on the PPM-PNC ticket. Interestingly in the first round of the last presidential election, Azima has announced her support for the Maldives National Party (MNP) presidential candidate Mohammed Nazim.
Azima was a minister in the President's Office to give legal advice when the parliament was stopped by the army and police during the rule of former President Abdullah Yameen.
Azima is currently facing trial in the Criminal Court on charges of aiding and abetting the laundering of USD 1 million that Yameen had received by leasing G.A. Vodamula to build a resort.
Azima, who served as attorney general in the last days of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's presidency, stayed away from politics for a long time after being indicted in the MMPRC case. She reappeared in politics as part of the 'anti-sea sale alliance', which believes that the Maldives had sold off part of its maritime territory.
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