With the EC now approving the formation of the political party, Yameen and his followers have been granted three months in order to get the 3,000 signatures needed to solidify its presence and legitimacy.
Source: Elections Commission
Just days after announcing his intention to form a new political party, it appears that former president Abdulla Yameen has officially commenced the process of forming his party, People’s National Front (PNF). As of 29th November 2023 the Election Commission (EC) has officially approved the establishment process of PNF, with former President Yameen's son, Zain Abdullah Yameen, listed as the official founder.
This development comes in the wake of Yameen's departure from the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), citing differences with the current president, Dr. Mohamed Muizz, who secured victory through a coalition between PPM and the People's National Congress (PNC), another party founded by Yameen.
The EC's approval, granted today, signals the beginning of a new chapter in Maldivian politics, with key figures associated with Yameen playing pivotal roles in the PNF. The eight founders, at the behest of Yameen, include not only his son Zain Abdullah Yameen but also prominent individuals such as Yameen's senior lawyer, Dr. Mohammed Jameel, former Commissioner of Police Hussain Waheed, former PPM Treasurer Ahmed Mustafa, former MIFCO Managing Director Adli Ismail, Dr Hussain Jihad, and Ali Adam.
With the EC now approving the formation of the political party, Yameen and his followers have been granted three months in order to get the 3,000 signatures needed to solidify its presence and legitimacy.
Yameen's decision to create a new political, according to the statements given by people within PNF revealed that it stems from his disillusionment with the coalition that brought Dr. Mohamed Muizz to power. The alliance between PPM and PNC, both products of Yameen's political strategy, appears to have fractured, leading to a widening rift between the former president and the current leadership. This political tension is exacerbated by the timing of the PNF's formation, which occurred shortly after the recent presidential election.
Just mere days after revealing the intention to leave PPM-PNC and form a new party, Yameen swifty unveiled the party’s name, and logo and now has even acquired the approval from EC. The PNF's emergence, led by individuals closely aligned with Yameen, sets the stage for a dynamic shift in Maldives' political landscape, adding complexity to an already charged environment.
As the PNF manoeuvres to establish itself in the coming months, the repercussions of Yameen's departure from PPM and the subsequent formation of a new political entity are likely to reverberate throughout the Maldivian political sphere, injecting fresh uncertainties and dynamics into an evolving narrative of political realignment.
