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Officials of former administrations to contest in March polls

Some senior officials of the previous administrations have signalled their interest to run for parliament in the March 2019 parliamentary elections. Elections Commission of Maldives has announced representatives for 87 constituencies would be elected in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

While some prospective candidates have already launched their campaigns, one of the more surprising facts is the number of officials of the former administrations expressing their interest to run for the parliament. These include a number of ministers on former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's cabinet.

Some such candidates are; former Minister of Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, former Minister of Defence and National Security Adam Shareef Umar, in addition to several individuals who served as state ministers and deputy ministers in the previous administration. Although they have announced their intention to contest in the parliamentary elections, they have not yet announced the constituencies they would be contesting.

Another individual whose announcement has shocked most citizens is former Vice President Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed. Meanwhile, former Minister of Defence and National Security Colonel Retired Mohamed Nazim has also expressed interest in contesting for a seat at parliament. Some popular journalists have also announced their intention to join the parliamentary race.