Former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom states his name will be on the ballot paper in the next presidential election.
Yameen, while speaking at People’s National Front (PNF)’s first national assembly on Thursday night where he was elected the party’s president unopposed, expressed confidence that he will not be convicted of the charges against him.
The former president, citing that he is well aware of the situation within the government and the parliament, states they believe his name will not be in the ballot paper. However, he said this is now how things will go down.
“By the will of Almighty, President Yameen’s name will be on the ballot paper,” the former president remarked, upon which his supporters broke out in applause.
Without directly naming his brother, former president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, Yameen said he rose to power in 2013 without “showing photos” of a certain individual. He added that those close to him would be well aware that “this person” was not working to ensure his election win.
On the contrary, Yameen said that his photo appeared more prominently on the campaign posters of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and his running mate, now Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, than their own. He characterized this as coming to power by capitalizing on his image.
During last night’s National Assembly, Yameen’s vice president during his presidency, Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, and his son Zain Abdulla Yameen were also elected as vice presidents of PNF.