Choosing one candidate to contest in election is being considered: Dr Hassan Saeed

Vice Presidential candidate of Jumhooree Party (JP) Dr Hassan Saeed has said that they are considering choosing one candidate to contest in the presidential election re-run, meaning that the candidates who came in second, third and fourth in the 7 September election might work together in the re-run.

Speaking at a press conference at Kunooz today following the annulment of the result of the first round of the election by the Supreme Court last night, Dr Hassan Saeed said that JP will not hesitate in its efforts to protect national interests.

“We are trying to find a way to win the election in the first round, by as many people working together as possible. Choosing one candidate to stand in the election is being considered,” he said.

When asked if JP might decide to follow another presidential candidate, Dr Hassan Saeed said that discussions will be held with all necessary groups, but that does not mean the current campaign efforts will be suspended or halted.

He said that if three candidates are going to stand in the election, it would not be easy to win the election in the first round.

Dr Saeed said that a large number of senior politicians and MPs will join JP in the coming days. When asked by Sun to provide details on this, he refused to comment.

The result of the first round of the presidential election, annulled by the Supreme Court, is 24.1 percent votes for JP, 5 percent for Forward with the Nation coalition, 25.3 percent for Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), and 45.5 percent for Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).