Applications have been submitted to the Elections Commission for the formation of President Abdulla Yameen's new political party, The Peoples' National Front (PNF).
After internal strifes with the leadership of the ruling PPM-PNC coalition, President Yameen parted ways with the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) last Thursday, announcing his intention to register his own political party.
Despite Yameen spearheading the new party's creation, he cannot serve as the legal founder of the party as he is currently serving a sentence on a money laundering and bribery conviction. Article 6(h)(4) prohibits individuals serving a sentence from applying to form a political party.
Yameen wished to register the party with eight founders, including himself. The others listed were former Vice President Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, Yameen's eldest son Zane Abdulla Yameen, former Chief of Staff Ahmed Musthafa, former Deputy Minister Ali Adam, former Managing Director of MIFCO Adhlee Ismail, former Commissioner of Police Hussain Waheed, and former Vice President Dr. Abdulla Jihad. However, the relevant Elections Commission rules state that only one individual can be designated as the founder, leading to the decision to list Zane as the party's legal founder.
The application form was submitted by a team of Yameen loyalists led by Dr. Jameel, who serves as the lead counsel of Yameen's legal team. Accompanying him were former minister Mohamed Maleeh Jamaal, Hussain Waheed, and former Commissioner General of Customs Abbas Adil Riza. The application forms and supporting documents were formally received by Elections Commission President Fuwad Thawfeek.
Once the formation approval is granted, the party hopes to register the party as soon as possible.
