AG instructs State agencies to treat presidential candidates indiscriminately

Attorney General Mohamed Anil has appealed to State agencies to treat all presidential candidates indiscriminately.

The AG’s Office released a statement this Wednesday, in which it urged State agencies to treat all political parties’ presidential candidates with fairness in election related matters.

Anil instructed Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Housing and Infrastructure, Public Service Media (PSM), and Maldives Police Service to provide State resources to all presidential candidates equally, as stated in Maldivian laws.

He instructed that all candidates be provided safety and security by the State, and provided resources, streets of islands, public spaces and State properties and land for campaign purposes without discrimination.

He is instructed PSM to provide all presidential candidates with equal air time.

Those who have announced their candidacy for Presidential Elections 2018 includes: incumbent President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom who is running for re-election on behalf of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM); leader of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group, MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih (Ibu) who is running on behalf of the opposition; former Minister of Home Affairs, Umar Naseer as an independent candidate; and former Deputy President of Local Government Authority (LGA), Shujau Hussain also as an independent candidate.

Only Yameen has announced a running mate so far. Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, the Chancellor of Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) was introduced as his running mate on July 7.

Jumhoory Party (JP) is set to vote on a running mate for Ibu on Friday, July 13.