The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the main opposition party leading the joint coalition that has vowed to topple incumbent President Abdulla Yameen, has declared senior lawmaker Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as its presidential candidate, after former President Mohamed Nasheed pulled out of the race.
On Friday, Mr. Nasheed announced that he was relinquishing his presidential ticket, after the Election Commission barred him from contesting.
Common candidate
His MDP, along with other opposition parties, said they would field a common candidate in the presidential elections scheduled for September. The decision to field Mr. Solih, popularly known as Ibu, was taken at the MDP Congress held on Saturday, local media reports said. The opposition also includes Jumhooree Party, Adalath Party and a faction of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) led by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.