JP ticket-holder for Dhaandhoo seat endorses rival PNC candidate

Nishama Mohamed, the Jumhoory Party (JP) candidate for the Dhaandhoo parliamentary seat, has publicly endorsed Mohamed Fazeel, her rival candidate from the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).

Nishama, who served as deputy health minister during the last administration, announced her decision in a post on Facebook on Monday night.

She wrote that she received love and support from Dhaandhoo constituents during her campaign, but needs extra funding and effort to win the election.

She said that a win is uncertain given the lack of funds and time.

“I therefore find that it is in the best interest of everyone for me and all my supporters to back ruling party’s candidate for Dhaandhoo constituency,” she said.

The parliamentary elections is scheduled for April 21.

Total 389 candidates are contesting for 93 parliamentary seats in this year’s elections. The highest number of candidates are from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) – which is contesting 90 seats, followed by the ruling PPM-PNC coalition, which is contesting 89 seats. But some of the candidates who contested the PNC primary are now contesting the elections independently.

On Monday, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu himself publicly announced support for Ahmed Zameer, who is contesting the Central Machangolhi seat as an independent candidate after losing the primary to Mohamed Abdul Ghadir (Kooku).

Kooku announced he is dropping out from the race, and announced support for Zameer.

The public endorsement for Zameer follows weeks of rumors that some of the PNC ticket-holders are being sidelined by the administration in favor of other candidates.