Dr Jameel asked to resign if he is to act as running mate for another party

Home Minister Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed has been asked to tender his resignation if he plans to act as running mate for another political party.

Press Secretary of the President’s Office Masood Imad said that this has been communicated between Dr Jameel and officials of the President’s Office.

He said that since the president himself would be running for office, it would create a conflict of interest to have a member of his cabinet as his rival candidate or rival candidate’s running mate.

Masood said that the government had not yet made a decision on this matter, and that it would make a decision based on Dr Jameel’s response when offices reopen after the weekend.

A senior official of the government said that the posts of Minister of Defence and Minister of Home Affairs are different, and persons holding those posts must show loyalty to the president.

It has not been possible to obtain Dr Jameel’s comment on the matter as there is no answer on his phone.

There has been speculation that Presidential Candidate of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Abdullah Yameen will announce Dr Jameel as his running mate tonight.