Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has awarded the party’s ticket for the upcoming presidential election to self-exiled former President Mohamed Nasheed.
The party’s ticket was officially awarded by MDP's chairperson Hassan Latheef to Nasheed’s campaign manager and North-Hithadhoo constituency MP Mohamed Aslam, during an MDP rally.
Nasheed had also spoken to members of MDP via Skype during the rally.
Speaking to a local news outlet, Latheef revealed the aims of MDP to present former President Nasheed as a single candidate from the opposition coalition parties.
The Civil Court, late May, had ordered Police and other relevant authorities to stop MDP's primary. Despite several disruptions by the authorities, including confiscation of the ballot boxes, MDP had continued voting until midnight.
EC had previously issued a warning to MDP, stating the the party could be dissolved if they allowed Nasheed to run, as the former president is convicted on terrorism charges to 13-years, which renders him ineligible to contest for president according to the Constitution.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed, the sole candidate in MDP's primary, won with 43,922 votes in favour, despite court orders to cease the voting.