Deputy Speaker of Parliament Moosa Manik has announced that he has dropped out from the parliamentary elections. The announcement on Twitter comes after he had previously announced that he will compete for Laamu Gamu constituency.
Speaking to PSM News, the deputy speaker said he made the decision not to compete as he wants to see a clear picture of the political spectrum. Moosa said he believes he has been a valuable servant to the people during his time in parliament where he has worked effortlessly for the good of the country. After stepping aside, Moosa said he would be giving time for his family and business.
Moosa Manik was elected to the parliament as a member of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). However, he resigned from the party and joined Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), where he had been a strong support for former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. He resigned from PPM after it lost the presidential election last September.