Opposition PNC, which is part of the Progressive Coalition, has decided to field a separate candidate for the September 9 presidential election.

A total of 47 members attended the Senate meeting where they discussed fielding a candidate for the election. The PNC approved the nomination of a presidential candidate with the support of 44 members.

However, the Senate passed the resolution to field a candidate from the PNC in the event that former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, the presidential candidate of the progressive coalition comprising PPM and PNC, could not contest.

With this decision, contesting for the PNC Presidential Ticket is open till 2 pm today. A candidate will be chosen by a secret vote for which the Senate reconvenes at 4 pm today.

With the deadline for filing candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections ending on August 7, the issue over Yameen's ability to contest the elections is pending in the Supreme Court.

This comes after the Election Commission rejected Yameen's candidacy form on the grounds that he was serving an 11-year prison term in the V. Atoll Aarah case and was not eligible to contest the presidential election.

The Supreme Court has now asked the Election Commission to take cognisance of the matter and file a written reply.