Qasim walks from Kunooz to Dharubaaruge, files candidacy

Jumhoory Party (JP)’s leader Qasim Ibrahim has filed his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election.

Qasim, the parliamentary representative of Maamigili constituency, had walked from his party headquarters in Kunooz, to the elections center in Dharubaaruge, to submit his candidacy form, on Monday morning.

He was accompanied by top party officials and supporters.

JP, which had been part of the coalition government elected to office in 2018, had rejected President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s invitation to support his re-election, and decided to produce its own presidential candidate, back in February.

Qasim was presented with the party’s presidential ticket with the backing of JP’s council in June.

He has picked JP’s deputy leader Ameen Ibrahim as his running mate, and former tourism minister Ali Waheed as his campaign agent.

Also on Monday, the opposition PPM-PNC coalition’s candidate, Male’ city mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu filed his candidacy.

Meanwhile, President Solih and Maldives National Party (MNP)’s leader Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim submitted their candidacy on Sunday. The Elections Commission has approved their candidacies.