The ruling People's National Congress-Progressive Party of Maldives (PNC-PPM) has reversed a decision to bar some candidates from contesting in primaries for the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Some members whose candidacies were revoked yesterday went to the PNC office to protest and quarrels broke out between them and members who backed the party's decision.
Some members of the coalition were barred from primaries for the March 17 parliamentary elections over allegations of siding with former President Abdulla Yameen in the PPM founder's dispute with incumbent President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
But in a reversal of the decision today, the coalition said all candidates will be allowed to contest in the primaries. The decision was made following complaints from some members, the coalition added.
PNC Chairperson Abdul Raheem Abdulla said the decision was made by party leader President Muizzu.
Former President Yameen, the PPM's former leader who is serving an 11-year prison sentence on corruption charges, left the party in November 2023.
After his departure, Yameen's close associates said President Muizzu cut ties with Yameen and accused the government of stopping the party's activities.
Since then, Yameen has been working towards forming a new party called the People's National Front.
