An erosion of rights and a crackdown on the opposition has led to the EU decision.
Faisal Naseem was picked by the JP for the opposition coalition's joint ticket.
There was a secret ballot during a Jumhooree Party meeting.
The final candidate list will be announced August 18.
Faris Maumoon faces 'trumped up charges' says Amnesty.
Mohamed Nasheed said Saudi Arabia supported violent extremism in the Maldives.
Young men on motorbikes confronted and tried to attack the opposition's presidential candidate.
The imam has been suspended without pay for 30 days.
The European Union has previously spoken of 'targeted measures' against the Maldives.
The ruling party's VP pick has raised eyebrows in some quarters.
India has urged the Maldives to return to the path of democracy.
Opposition-dominated councils are losing their powers to the housing ministry.
Fathmath Niusha had been standing in for the secretary general since he resigned in February.
Clerics said it was a 'golden opportunity' for advancing Islamic traditions.
Dr Shaheem previously served as Islamic minister in President Yameen's cabinet.
Most of the current power infrastructure work in Pakistan relies heavily on China expertise and resources.
The MDP maintains its stance that the Elections Commission must be reconstituted.
