PPM collects 3000 signatures required for registration

Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM), new political party in the process of formation, has collected the 3000 signatures legally required for eligibility of registration.

A special program was conducted yesterday, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Darubaaruge, under the theme “I am also PPM”, to collect signatures for the new party, being founded by former President Maumoon Abdul Qayyoom.

Ahmed Mahloof, Member of Parliament for Galolhu Dhekunu Constituency and Spokesperson for PPM said last night that by the end of yesterday’s program, 3000 people had signed for the new party. “This is a national record for the Maldives. No party has fulfilled the membership requirement this fast before”, said Mahloof.

Mahloof declined to declare the exact number of members who had given their signatures to the party, although he said that starting from today evening, registration would be open for new members again.

Former President Maumoon had recently left Divehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), which he founded years ago and headed until 2008, due to conflicts with current DRP Leader Ahmed Tasmin Ali. Maumoon’s supporters within DRP had long since challenged Tasmin’s leadership, acting as a breakaway faction within DRP. They decided to separate themselves from DRP and form a new party only a couple of weeks ago.