The Elections Commission rejects the candidacy of former President Abdullah Yameen who is currently serving a 11-year jail sentence for money laundering and bribery convictions.
Yameen filed his candidacy earlier today and the Commission had said that it would inform its decision on whether or not to accept his candidacy well before the 48 hours stipulated under the law.
The Commission cited article 109 of the Constitution which states that an individual who puts forth candidacy for the Presidential Elections must not have been convicted of a criminal offense and sentenced to a term of more than twelve months.
Meanwhile, the Opposition said that the Commission's decision on the matter is not legitimate and that it would submit the matter to the Supreme Court.
Yameen's running mate and the head of his legal team Former Vice President Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed said that the Commission had interpreted Article 109, subsection F wrongly.
The Opposition has appealed to the Supreme Court twice before to ensure Yameen's his right to compete in the election but their appeal were unceremoniously thrown out on both ocassions.
