Elections Commission says that it has today opened the candidacy for the Presidential Elections scheduled for September.
In an announcement, the Commission said that Presidential Candidates can submit their application forms from 23rd July, 09:00 am to 7th August 2:00 pm.
The Commission said that candidates must submit a filled application form along with other required documents to the Elections Center located at Dharubaaru ge between 09:00 am to 02:00 pm on all days except Fridays.
There are 7 requirements for those who wish to compete for the Presidency and Vice Presidency as per the Constitution. As per the Constitution a person elected as President should be a Maldivian citizen born to parents who are Maldivian citizens, and who is not also a citizen of a foreign country.
It also states that the person must be a Muslim and a follower of a Sunni school of Islam and that the individual must be at least 35 years of age. It adds that the person must be of sound mind and that the individual must not have an undischarged decreed debt.
It further states that the individual must not have been convicted of a criminal offense and sentenced to a term of more than twelve months, unless a period of three years has elapsed since his release, or pardon for the offense for which he was sentenced and that not have been convicted of an offense for which a had is prescribed in Islam or of fraud, deception or criminal breach of trust.
The candidates must submit the forms with the signature from 1,500 individuals who are above 18 years and also submit a non-refundable deposit of MVR 100,000 with their forms.
