The presidential candidate of Jumhooree Party (JP) Gasim Ibrahim has said that the party will contest in the upcoming presidential elections with 30,000 party members.

Gasim said while speaking at a rally at the JP ‘haruge’ last night that with the party’s efforts, ‘it will not be difficult’ to have 30,000 members.

“Having 30,000 members is not something to be sad about. It can be done if every member gets someone to join the party. It’s not difficult. We will start work on that now,” said the leader of JP which has 11,000 members.

Maamigili MP Gasim also commended the bill on political parties which was passed by the parliament yesterday.

Gasim, who was defeated in the 2008 presidential elections, said that he will not fail in the next presidential elections and that his campaign will begin next month.

“God willing, I will not be defeated next year,” Gasim said.

While PPM is yet to decide on a presidential candidate to represent the party, DRP’s Ahmed Thasmeen Ali and MDP’s Mohamed Nasheed have announced that they will contest in the presidential elections. Two PPM members have commenced campaigns for the party’s primary to elect a presidential candidate, and President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has also signalled that he will contest in the elections.