Neither PPM nor MDP will not get clear majority in presidential election: Umar

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Interim Vice President Umar Naseer has said that neither PPM not Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) will obtain enough votes to win the presidential election in the first round, and that the final result will be decided by the smaller parties.

Speaking on DhiTV last night, Umar said that compared with the 2008 election, the public will vote differently this time.

“I believe that people will vote for the two largest parties, which are PPM and MDP. The rest of the parties will receive fewer votes than last time,” he said.

Umar said that the reason behind this is that the people are now informed of the ideologies existing in the Maldives.

“People are now well aware that there are two main ideologies in Maldives. That is, Mohamed Nasheed’s ideology of allowing alcohol, and Gayoom’s ideology of protecting our religion. That’s what people will vote for.”

He said that those who do not support Gayoom or Nasheed will become the minority.

“Nonetheless, neither of the two ideologies will obtain a clear majority. The final result will be decided by small parties - whoever they side with will win the election.”