JP set to make ‘big’ presidential election decision in late February

Jumhoory Party (JP) will make its decision regarding the upcoming presidential election in late February, according to the party’s spokesperson Ali Solih.

JP is part of the coalition which helped President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to power in 2018. Solih, who recently secured his party’s ticket to pave the path for reelection to a second term, has expressed interest in forming a coalition again for the 2023 presidential election.

JP, which is currently ranked the third largest party in Maldives with some 18,000 members, has yet to make a decision regarding the election.

The party will make its decision regarding the election during its next congress.

JP’s spokesperson Ali Solih told Sun on Tuesday that the congress will be held in late February. However, a specific date has yet to be finalized.

He said JP is making the latest preparations to hold the congress, which will be attended by top party officials, including JP’s government ministers.

JP’s leader Qasim Ibrahim had contested the 2008 and the 2013 presidential elections. While he didn’t get enough votes to qualify for a second round in either of those two times, JP has been a part of the three coalition governments elected since the enactment of the new constitution.