Gayoom announces he will not contest

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, former President and leader of the second largest party in the Maldives Progressive Party of Maldives PPM, has announced that he will not contest in the party’s primary to be held on 31 March to elect a presidential candidate to stand for election in the 7 September presidential race. The decision was communicated in a statement issued by the former President’s office this afternoon.

Gayoom’s brother PPM’s Parliamenbtary Leader MP Abdulla Yamin and former Deputy President Umar Nasheer have already announced they will contest in the primary. PPM has announced interested members to file their applications before the end of February. No one has so far officially submitted applications, but it is expected Gayoom’s brother in law and powerful former minister Ilyas Ibrahim may join the primary race in addition to Yamin and Umar. Gayoom said he decided not to contest as there are capable persons in the party’s front line who are capable of ruling the country.

Gayoom’s decision means that he will not contest in the presidential election ending speculation that the former president may seek a seventh term in the upcoming election. The new Constitution which enshrined sweeping reforms was ratified in 2008 has provided to those who held the post of president under the previous Constitution two fresh terms to contest and hold the office of the president although the Constitution restricted 2 five year terms to anyone to stand and hold the office of the president.

Until Gayoom’d decision today,  speculations were growing that he will stand in the presidential election and would compete with his rival former President and presidential candidate Mohamed Nasheed of the biggest party MDP. But Nasheed is still facing trial and sentence which may bar him from contesting the election. Nasheed has taken refuge in the Indian High Commission in Male’ from 13 February for 11 days to escape arrest and appearing in the court in connection with the illegal arrest of a senior judge in January last year. He has said he came out with the understanding of taking part in political activity and public life and expressed his conviction of contesting and winning the presidential election.

President Gayoom has ruled the country for 30 years, 6 presidential terms from 1978 to 2008. He contested in the first multi party presidential election in 2008 but his opponent Mohamed Nasheed of MDP won the election in the second round.

President Nasheed however resigned on 7 Febdruary 2012 in what he accused a military backed coup. His Vice President Mohamed Waheed who Nasheed accuses of involving in the coup succeeded Nasheed and formed a coalition government with the parties which joined together and protested against Nasheed government demanding Nasheed to resign for violation of the Constitution.