Secretary General of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Abdulla Khaleel has strongly asserted that the party has already decided its presidency candidate in incumbent president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and the room for a primary is not necessary.
Speaking to Avas Online Khaleel stated that the party's leadership and general members had coincided to nominate Yameen as PPM's candidate for presidency elections in 2018 and no one has stepped forward to object the motion.
"Our party council, general members and well-wishers coincide to nominate our current president as the ruling party candidate in president's elections. I believe the people of Maldives will agree to it as well," Khaleel said.
Khaleel had also emphasized that PPM is the most prime party with a solid democratic practice in it adding that any member of the party has the right to turn in their names for primaries, however upon the scenario where the entire council agrees on nominating the president for a second term it would be met.
According to the administrative regulations of the party, any member of PPM who had successfully filled a presidency term of five years can run for presidency for a second term through the party ticket without initially placing name in a primary.
However if members express their interest to compete against the party head in a primary, a national assembly of the party must take place to decide on holding a primary for it through votes.
