Controller of Immigration Mohamed Ahmed (Hanafee) has joined the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
The MDP said in a tweet that Hanafee - who left the Jumhooree Party (JP) a day after he was appointed as an advisor to JP leader Qasim Ibrahim - signed up with the signatures of 60 new members.
Adhadhu has learned that the forms belong to Hanafee's family members.
Hanafee was appointed as immigration controller in December 2018 at the beginning of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's term.
Hanafee contested for the post of deputy leader at the JP's congress earlier this year. But he failed to win the internal election.
Hanafee left the JP amid tension between the party and the MDP. The JP, which remains in the MDP-led coalition, decided to contest separately in September's presidential election after Solih secured the MDP ticket.
Despite not backing the president in the first round of the upcoming election, none of the JP's political appointees has been sacked from the government.
