First application from independent candidate submitted

An Addu businessman became the first independent candidate to submit his application for this year’s presidential election, local media reported Wednesday.

Hussain Naseer handed in his paper with 1,800 signatures, according to his campaign Twitter account. The “People’s Power to the People” account had 70 followers at the time of going to press and joined the social media network in June.

“We want a leader who does not love money, but loves justice and fairness, does not love popularity but loves humanity,” said another tweet.

More well known is his running mate Sheikh Nasrulla Musthafa, a preacher who was arrested on suspicion of being involved in a scam that saw four people sent to Mecca without arrangements in place for their pilgrimage.

He later accused five journalists of defamation for writing about the Hajj scam, although he later dropped this charge.

The sheikh also faces charges in a separate case relating to pornographic material. The hearings for this in April were closed to the public.

Naseer is the CEO of Business Development and Financial Strategy, Mihaaru reported.

The EC said it would decide on his candidacy within 48 hours.

Photo from @ElectionsMV shows Hussain Naseer’s campaign agent.