Candidates barred from withdrawing in Maldives parliamentary poll

Candidates competing in the upcoming Maldives parliamentary elections will be banned from withdrawing their candidacy from this week, local media reported here on Monday. The Maldives Elections Commission made this decision over the weekend to assist the smooth flowing of the poll, which will be the first major test for President Abdulla Yameen since he was elected to power in November 2013. The Commission's Director General Mohamed Shakeel told reporters candidates who have already submitted their candidacy forms will not be allowed to withdraw their candidacy as lots have been drawn to decide their respective candidate numbers. "Seven candidates have already withdrawn their candidacy and we cannot allow it to proceed as each candidate has been assigned a number and election procedures have to continue including printing of ballot papers," Shakeel said. According to the commission, 304 candidates are vying for the 85 seats in parliament, in which is expected to be a tightly contested race between Yameen's Progressive Party of Maldives ( PPM) and former President Mohammad Nasheed's Maldives Democratic Party (MDP). The latter currently holds the majority in parliament. The parliamentary election is scheduled to be held on March 22..