Yameen’s new party to file for registration next week

The People’s National Congress (PNC) – spearheaded by former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom – will submit its membership forms and request for registration as a political party next week, says Fonadhoo MP Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey).

Adhurey, under whose name PNC received permission from the Elections Commission to form, reports to ‘Sun’ over 3,000 new members joined the party within hours it received its permission from EC on December 27.

He said the party still had to deal with a few administrative issues before it can submit its membership forms.

“A large number of people from multiple Maldivian islands have signed with the party. We are trying to submit the membership forms for registration next Sunday,” said Adhurey.

Adhurey said the party does not plan on submitting membership forms of all its members in order to expedite registration.

“We will decide on the number of membership forms to submit after discussion with EC. We want to expedite the party registration,” said Adhurey.

Adhurey said the party’s first objective, as soon as it is registered, is to win the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 6.

The bid by Yameen, Leader of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) to form a new political party comes amid uncertainty over PPM’s future given the dispute over its leadership. Though the High Court ruled in favor of PPM and ordered EC to endorse its extraordinary congress on September 28-29, 2018 which elected Yameen as its Leader – the EC has now contested the ruling with the Supreme Court.

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.