Nihan: Yameen will win election with 52 percent of votes

Incumbent Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom will win the upcoming Presidential Elections with 52 percent of the votes, says leader of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)’s parliamentary group, MP Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik.

Nihan made the statement in a tweet last Saturday, following the agreement between opposition parties to back a presidential candidate from Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and a running-mate from Jumhoory Party (JP).

In the tweet, Nihan challenged the opposition to make whatever calculations necessary and to nominate as many presidential candidates and running-mates as they see fit. He said the people of Maldives will not say no to progress and development, no matter what they do.

“With the grace of Allah, President Yameen will win the Presidential Elections 2018 with 52 percent of votes,” said Nihan in his tweet.

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed had maintained he will be MDP’s presidential candidate until his surprise announcement last Friday when he bowed out of the presidential race.

Following the announcement, MDP and JP came to agreement to back a presidential candidate from MDP and a running-mate from JP.

MDP’s parliamentary group leader, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu) was chosen as MDP’s presidential candidate at the party’s Congress at A. A. Ukulhas last Saturday night.

PPM had already declared Yameen as their presidential candidate and have already started campaigning for the elections.