Umar

The deadline given to Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Primary Election contestant, Umar Naseer, to make a public apology after he held a rally against the party’s basic regulation and passed comments that were allegedly untrue, has been extended until Sunday.

PPM Spokesperson Ahmed Mahloof said that Umar was notified at around 9.20 pm last night of the decision by the party’s council to ask him to make a public apology before the PPM rally last night.

“We have been informed that the notification letter was delivered to Umar at around 9.20 pm last night. Umar departed on a trip abroad last night, and since our rally commenced at 9.45 pm, our council believes that there was not enough time. So the council has decided to extend the deadline until 10.00 am on Sunday,” he said.

Mahloof said that it would not be enough if Umar simply issues an apology, and that he should prove to the public that his remarks were untrue.

Umar addressed his supporters at a rally held last Sunday night and said that votes were rigged at the PPM Primary Election. He said that results were announced for islands in which there were no ballot boxes, and that some ballot papers in which people had voted for him were removed from the boxes.

PPM has noted that Umar also said that a minor accused of being involved in the murder of Dr Afrasheem Ali met with Yameen in his office. Umar also accused Yameen of having connections with gangs.

Mahloof said that if Umar refuses to apologise, the issue will be sent to the party’s Behavioural Committee.