Progressive coalition, an alliance between former ruling Progressive Party of Maldives and newly established Peoples' National Congress will be fielding candidates for 46 constituencies in the upcoming parliamentary election.
PPM and PNC are both backed by former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom.
In a joint press conference held by the coalition on Thursday, they revealed that the candidacy forms of those representing the coalition have now been submitted at the Elections Commission.
Founder of PNC, Abdul Raheem Abdulla said in addition to the 46 candidates, four candidates from Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) will be backed by the coalition, bringing the total number of candidates representing the coalition to 50.
Abdul Raheem further said some of the tickets that were previously granted by PPM and PNC have now been revoked following the decision to endorse candidates from Jumhooree Party for those specific constituencies in a bid to constrict main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s chances of attaining parliament majority.
Some candidates whose tickets were withdrawn have now announced that they will be contesting in the elections slated for April as independent candidates, although PPM/PNC have announced that action will be taken against party members who independently contest for constituencies for which the coalition have fielded candidates.
The deadline for the submission of candidacy papers of those who wish to contest in the parliamentary election expired at 4pm on Thursday. The parliamentary election is scheduled to be held on 7th April.
From PNC's inaugural congress - Photo: Ahmed Shurau / AVAS
