PPM’s new register with the names of its responsible heads.
Questions have been raised over the three names listed as the responsible heads of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)’s new register.
The first register of the party compiled by the former Elections Commissioner Fuad Thaufeeq had not included any names as the responsible head of PPM. However, the new register produced on the same date and signed by the new Elections Commissioner Ahmed Sulaiman includes three names as the responsible heads of the party.
The three names as mentioned are former president and PPM leader Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, incumbent president and PPM adviser Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom and the President’s Office’s Legal Affairs Adviser Aishath Azima Shakoor.
It is noteworthy that this is the first ever register produced by the Elections Commission (EC) listing names of the responsible heads of the party.
Mihaaru was not able to receive a comment from EC regarding the matter as the commission’s spokesperson was not available. However, the former Elections Commissioner has criticized the new register, saying that the responsible head’s name is not included in the register.
Meanwhile, Maumoon’s faction of the divided PPM has also criticized and questioned the inclusion of Azima’s name in the register. According to the former Secretary General of PPM, Yumna Maumoon, three names had to be sent to Elections Commission during the initial stage of the party for signature purposes. However Azima had left the party in 2012 to assume the position of Attorney General after the fall of Former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration.
“In these circumstances, it’s quite unbelievable that Azima’s name is included as a responsible head of the party. Farish Maumoon was given permission and he was the one who led the initiation of Progressive Party of Maldives,” said Yumna.
The new register has been issued in the midst of an ongoing dispute between the ruling party’s leader Maumoon and his half-brother President Yameen.