Waheed should yield to Jaabir, says PPM Spokesperson

Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim, member of the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) who has entered his name for the upcoming parliamentary by-election for Kaashidhoo Constituency, should yield to Abdullah Jabir from the Jumhoory Party, said Ahmed Mahloof, PPM Spokesperson today.

When the by-election for Kaashidhoo Constituency was announced, Jabir from the Jumhoory Party announced that he would contest for the seat, and subsequently, Waheed from PPM also said he would contest. However, issues arose as PPM and Jumhoory Party are in the Alliance against the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). Leaders of the Alliance, including most of the Council Members of PPM, are in favor of forming a united front in the contest for Kaashidhoo seat, in order to widen chances of beating an MDP candidate.

Mahloof said today that if two candidates from parties that belong to the Alliance contest in the by-election, an MDP candidate would have a huge advantage, and that the Alliance must present one candidate from amongst themselves. Mahloof said that apparently Waheed should yield to Jaabir, as Jaabir had already won some popularity in the Constituency because of his past and current assistance to the development of the Constituency.

“In our Council, only six members have a differing view. All the others are of the opinion that Waheed should not contest for Kaashidhoo seat”, said Mahloof today.

A member of PPM Council who support’s Waheed’s bid told Sun today, on condition of anonymity, that there was a Council Resolution which obliges the Party to nominate a candidate for any parliamentary by-election, and that the Resolution must be adhered to.

While the question of Waheed not contesting in the by-election has been debated inside PPM Council, Fuad Tawfeeq, President of the Elections Commission of the Maldives, said today that a candidate whose name has been listed and announced cannot withdraw from the contest. This would mean that Waheed would not be able to revoke his name.

Commenting on the issue, Mahloof said that Waheed could still allow PPM to declare support for Jaabir, even if his name could not be withdrawn at this stage.

When called for comment, Waheed did not answer his phone.