Maleeh says EC obstructed party formation and must apologise to members

The Election Commission discriminated against former President Abdulla Yameen’s People’s National Front (PNF) even before the party was formally established, and the commission should apologise to the party and its members, PNF Secretary General Mohamed Maleeh Jamal said on Thursday evening.

Speaking on SSTV’s Baaru Hathareh programme, Maleeh said the PNF has been the most responsible and active political movement over the past three years, achieving milestones no other party has matched in that period.

He said the PNF conducts all its activities in line with “beautiful democratic principles”.

“I regret to note that the Election Commission has been discriminating against us since the very first day, even before this party came into existence,” he said.

Maleeh accused the commission of obstructing the formation of the PNF. He claimed the party’s formation rally at Ghiyasuddin International School was blocked despite having EC approval, saying no venue was made available.

He also criticised the commission for failing to look into the dissolution of the PPM and the merger of its members into the PNC.

Earlier this week, the Election Commission warned it would take action against the PNF if it continued holding what the commission described as illegal rallies. In its statement, the EC said it had received information that the PNF was repeatedly engaging in unlawful activities and had been advised to stop. The commission also said the PNF had refused to appear for discussions.

Responding to the statement, Maleeh said the EC had not specified which law or article the PNF had violated.

“The statement, which I describe as coming directly from today’s government to stop this movement and discredit the PNF, should be withdrawn. They should apologise to the PNF leadership and to our general membership,” he said.