Aslam: Many MDP members did not vote, approximations still show a win

Mohamed Aslam, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group leader who is also the running mate of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, underscoring many members of the party had not voted on Saturday, has remarked approximations show a win for President Solih.

Speaking at an event held at MDP’s ‘Dhandi Koshi’ party centre in Male’ City on Tuesday night – Aslam expressed complete confidence in winning the runoff, adding that the party had not lost the first round either.

“We did lose. We did not even come close to losing. We finished, by winning. And we will win again. All approximations show this,” he said.

Noting many supporters of President Solih had not cast their votes on Saturday, Aslam said there were many reasons behind this, including being overconfident.

“There are 37,000 votes we did not receive,” he claimed.

Speaking further, Aslam said allegations that have been raised against the government by the opposition are now being proven false.

“This country is all of ours. We, MDP, would never agree to give up even half of an inch of this country to a foreign party,” he said.

Emphasizing the government had not forfeited any Maldivian territory, said allegations of the government selling a part of Maldivian territory have now been proven false.

Opposition PPM-PNC candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu secured the greatest number of votes in the first round of the competitive presidential election with eight candidates with 46 percent, meaning 101,613 votes. His closest competitor, MDP’s Solih, the incumbent president, won 39 percent, meaning 101,613 votes.