Gasim says he will not run for president

Leader of Jumhooree Party (JP) Gasim Ibrahim has said that he will not run for president in any future elections.

In an interview, he told Miadhu that he ran for president in the last two elections with the hope of realising his vision for the development of the country.

Gasim, who is presently in Thailand, told Miadhu that he always bases his decisions on what is best for the country and its citizens.

He promised to continue to work towards the economic, social and political development of the country.

Recently, Gasim asked MPs of JP to support an amendment to the Political Parties Act restricting the age for running for president to between 30 and 65.

If the bill is passed by the parliament and ratified by the president, Gasim would not be able to run for president in 2018 as he will turn 65 next year.

Gasim came fourth with 27,000 votes in the 2008 presidential election, and third with 50,422 votes in the 2013 presidential election.