EC approves Ilyas’ candidacy

The Elections Commission (EC) has accepted the candidacy of lyas Labeeb, the presidential candidate of The Democrats.

Ilyas, the parliamentary representative for Hulhudhoo, had filed his candidacy on Sunday. The EC initially decided to reject the form, due to a missing document.

EC’s deputy chairman Ismail Habeeb said on Monday that after a review of information on his form, the commission has decided that he meets the eligibility criteria for the upcoming presidential election.

Ilyas has named Hussain Amr, the former managing director of the State Trading Organization (STO), as his running mate.

Ilyas won his party’s presidential ticket on July 28, with 94 percent of the votes.

He had been the sole contender for the ticket.

The Democrats is composed of a breakaway faction from the ruling MDP, loyal to the party’s former leader Mohamed Nasheed.

The EC has also confirmed the candidacy of MDP’s presidential candidate, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, and MNP’s candidate, Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim – both of whom also filed their candidacy on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the opposition PPM-PNC coalition’s candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, JP’s leader Qasim Ibrahim, and independent candidate Umar Naseer filed their candidacy on Monday, and are awaiting confirmation.