Abdulla Riyaz's brother to contest parliament seat in his stead
He did not say whether he was running for parliament on behalf of a party or as an independent candidate.
The incumbent MP from Thimarafushi constituency, Abdulla Riyaz, has decided not to run for parliament and his brother and former minister of state for transport Ahmed Riyaz will be contesting for the seat this time.
Ahmed Riyaz announced it in a post on Facebook on Tuesday.
“I, Ahmed Riyaz, have decided to contest for the 20th term as the Member of Parliament of this constituency to represent the people of Thimarafushi,” he said.
Although he did not say whether he was running for parliament on behalf of a party or as an independent, he is a member of the MNP founded by his brother Abdullah Riyaz and is the vice-president.
Ahmed Riyaz, who was the State Minister of Education in the previous government in a JP slot, was suspended from the post in May 2022 for a duration of six months with salary.
The President’s Office confirmed at the time that he was suspended in connection with an ongoing case, but did not provide details. According to some media reports, he was accused of sexually assaulting two female employees of the ministry.
After the previous government ruled that Ahmed Riyaz was not guilty, he was transferred to the Transport Ministry in the same post.
Atoll Times has learned that the current MP Abdullah Riyaz has decided not to contest this year's election.
