News

Candidate numbers for presidential election decided through draw

Published

9 months ago

09/08/2023

The draw was taken during a ceremony held for the purpose at EC’s focal point, Dharubaaruge, on Wednesday evening. The candidate numbers are as follows;

1 – Former Home Minister Umar Naseer (Independent Candidate)

2 – Former Deputy Defense Minister Hassan Zameel (Independent Candidate)

3 – President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Maldivian Democratic Party)

4 – Male’ City Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu (People’s National Congress)

5 – Qasim Ibrahim (Jumhoory Party)

6 – Ahmed Faris Maumoon (Independent Candidate)

7 – Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb (The Democrats)

8 – Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim (Maldives National Party)

The first candidacy that the EC received had been that of PPM’s leader, former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

However, the commission rejected Yameen’s candidacy due to his conviction for money laundering and bribery, citing Article 109 of the Constitution, which disqualifies candidates who have been sentenced to over 12 months in prison for a crime, unless it has been at least three years since they have completed their sentence or have been pardoned.

He unsuccessfully contested the decision with the Supreme Court, which ruled on Sunday that the EC was right to declare the opposition leader ineligible to contest the election.

The next candidate to file candidacy was President Solih, who is seeking a second term in office. He has picked North Hithadhoo MP Mohamed Aslam as his running mate.

MNP’s leader Nazim has also filed his candidacy, with Dr. Ahmed Adeel Naseer as his running mate.

Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb, the presidential candidate of The Democrats – composed of a breakaway faction of the ruling MDP loyal to its former leader Mohamed Nasheed – was the last to file his candidacy on Sunday. He has picked Hussain Amr, the former managing director of the State Trading Organization (STO), as his running mate.

The rest of the candidates filed their candidacy on Monday.

The first was Muizzu, who picked Faresmaathoda MP Hussain Mohamed Latheef (Sembe) as his running mate.

Next was JP’s leader Qasim, who named the party’s deputy leader Ameen Ibrahim as his running mate.

Three independent candidates followed suit; MRM’s president Faris – whose party is locked in a legal battle with the EC over its decision to dissolve the party for failure to meet membership numbers mandated by law, former home minister Umar, and former deputy defense minister Zameel.

Faris picked Dr. Abdul Sattar Yoosuf as his running mate, Umar picked his longtime friend Ahmed Saleem (Maaz Saleem), and Zaleem picked his wife, Mariyam Aleem.

283,272 people are eligible to vote in the election, slated to take place on September 9.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

India denies claims by Maldivian government on unpermitted operation

Published

5 hours ago

14/05/2024

India has denied the claims made by Maldivian Defense Minister Ghassan Maumoon last week, alleging Indian military pilots had carried out an operation in the Maldives without the necessary permits.

The High Commission of India in the Maldives released a statement on Tuesday, stating that Indian aviation platforms in the Maldives have always operated as per the agreed procedures and with due authorization.

On the contrary, while speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Minister Ghassan said he had knowledge of one of the aviation platforms undertaking an unpermitted trip. He went onto detail an incident where one of the Indian-operated helicopters landed in Th. Thimaraushi, allegedly without permission – a case which he said was reviewed by the Parliament’s Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee), when he had been a lawmaker.

Referencing the remarks by the Minister, the High Commission said the particular incident which saw an emergency landing at Thimarafushi on October 9th, 2019, was “necessitated due to an unforeseen exigency”.

They added that the landing was carried out after taking necessary on-ground approvals from Air Traffic Control (ATC) to ensure the safety and security of the platform and crew.

Source(s): sun.mv

News

Maldives calls for strong measures to maintain tuna stocks at IOTC

Published

5 hours ago

14/05/2024

The Maldives has called for strong measures to sustain tuna stocks at the 28th session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC).

A high-level delegation from the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources is attending the five-day session in Bangkok, Thailand. It will address various issues related to the sustainability of tuna stocks in the Indian Ocean.

The Maldives is advocating for member states to prioritise the sustainability of tuna stocks, focusing on the adoption of strong management measures for drifting Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) and shark conservation. Additionally, the Maldives will push for the implementation of a management procedure for skipjack tuna.

During the session, the Maldives emphasised the need for science-based management plans to protect against threats to fisheries and to enhance the restoration and management of tuna stocks. The Maldives also aims for the IOTC to lead Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) in adopting science-based conservation and management measures, reflecting the nation’s dedication to the well-being of coastal communities and the health of tuna stocks.

The IOTC is an intergovernmental organisation responsible for managing tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean.

Source(s): PsmNews

News

Maldives to seek UK’s assistance to develop finance sector

Published

5 hours ago

14/05/2024

Maldivian Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed, on Monday, traveled to the United Kingdom (UK) to attend the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Roundtable.

According to the Economic Ministry, the purpose of the Minister’s visit is to seek assistance from the participants of UK financial sector in order to develop a vibrant financial market in the Maldives, which the Ministry states is vital for the nation’s economic and social development.

The discussions held by the Minister in this regard will center on the development of Maldives International Financial Services Authority and Development Bank.

In this regard, the Economic Ministry said the visit will pave the way to establish formal working relationships with UK financial services firms on modernizing legal framework, financial sector infrastructure and the development of a modern and world-class governance strategy and operations for the establishment of international financial centres in the Maldives.

Minister Saeed, as part of these efforts, will meet UK government officials, members of the House of Lords and representatives from the UK financial and professional services industry in the course of the visit.

Source(s): sun.mv