President Waheed has said he will not contest in presidential elections: Umar

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Interim Vice President Umar Naseer has said that President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has said that he will not contest in the next presidential elections.

Speaking on DhiTV last night, Umar said that President Waheed had confirmed this to members of the coalition government.

Umar said that the current coalition, if they are able to present one candidate, will win the elections in the first round.

He said that PPM is currently the biggest party, and that the rest of the parties have already announced their presidential candidates. So PPM should be the party to get the presidential ticket.

“Every party should understand their size and how much support they have. They should make way for the parties which have more support. The big parties will lead the smaller ones. So I think the candidate proposed by the coalition will be the one from the party with the most support,” Umar said.

He said that PPM will decide on a presidential candidate by holding a primary, and that he will contest in the primary. Former President Gayoom had not indicated that he will contest in the primary, but if he does contest, Umar will be his biggest supporter.

“I am considering contesting in the presidential primary. It’s very likely that you will see me. If President Gayoom also decides to contest, I will be right behind him holding the flag,” Umar said.