108 individuals have expressed interest to contest for 80 constituencies on a ticket provided by Maumoon Reform Movement (MRM).
According to MRM, the candidates will be finalised after interviewing. MRM added the interviews are scheduled to begin tomorrow and will be concluded by January 25. MRM noted the movement might not contest for all the constituencies as it aims to maintain the agreement with the coalition partners.
Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said the agreement made by the government coalition to provide party tickets for the 12 reinstated parliamentarians will be maintained. Moreover, MRM said it would announce the constituencies it would contest for after discussing with the coalition partners.
The government coalition is formed by Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Jumhooree Party (JP) and Adhalaath Party (AP), in addition to MRM. So far, MDP and JP have announced the parties will contest for all the constituencies and efforts are underway to select candidates via primary elections and vetting. Meanwhile, AP has also announced interested individuals to contest for the parliamentary elections to submit applications.
The parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held on April 6. The Elections Commission of Maldives has urged the parties to finalise the candidates before January 26, as it will open for submissions for the elections on January 28.