Ex-President Yameen receives permission to form new political party

Abdul Raheem Abdulla ( 2nd R) receives permission letter to form People's National Congress (PNC) from President of Elections Commission (EC) Ahmed Shareef (2nd L) on December 27, 2018. (Photo/Elections Commission)

People’s National Congress (PNC) – spearheaded by former Maldivian President and Leader of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom – has received permission from the Elections Commission (EC) to form as a political party.

Application to form PNC was filed by former Deputy Leader of PPM, Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey).

Adhurey received the letter of permission to form PNC in a function held at EC headquarters this Thursday afternoon.

The original application filed on December 23 was rejected by EC as Adhurey was still a member of PPM when he filed the application. Adhurey later left PPM and re-filed the application on December 25.

The application to form a new political party was filed following uncertainty over PPM’s future given an ongoing court case over its disputed leadership.

The party is also being sued by the national airline, Maldivian, for MVR 3.8 million following failure to settle payment for chartered flights during presidential campaign.