PPM prepares forms of new members to be submitted to the Elections Commission. PHOTO: NISHAN ALI/MIHAARU
Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) submitted 9,000 application forms of its newest members to the Elections Commission on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference held in front of the EC, PPM’s Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah stated that the campaign to increase membership of the ruling party, which was spearheaded by First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim, was first launched in reclaimed suburb Hulhumale which earned 1,030 member applications.
In addition, another major campaign was carried out in capital Male with 250 teams seeking new members. The operation was a success with 11,031 individuals applying for membership.
According to MP Falah, the 9,000 forms submitted are those that PPM has completed reviewing.
“Including the forms submitted to the Elections [Commission] and those not submitted yet, the total number of PPM members are close to 70,000. With the efforts of Madam [Fathimath], around 500 forms are submitted daily.”
MP Falah went on to say that the soaring numbers of new members to PPM are indicative that the public recognises President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s services. Adding that the First Lady’s close relations with the public is another factor to the increasing love for the ruling party, MP Falah declared that PPM aims to increase its membership to 100,000 by the end of this year.
Meanwhile, the opposition and PPM’s leader and Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom have accused PPM of coercing people to sign on as ruling party members. However, pro-government forces have denied the allegations.