Former President Abdulla Yameen's son Zain Abdulla Yameen has been elected as interim president of the People's National Front (PNF), the former President's new party.
Zain was elected as PNF's interim president unanimously by the 329 members who attended the inaugural congress held at Malé's surf point area last night.
After Zain was elected as the interim president, an interim senate was also elected at Tuesday night's congress.
The inaugural congress was initially due to take place at the Ghiyasuddin International School. However, at the last minute, the school refused to abide by an agreement made with the party and cancelled the permit to hold the PNF congress. Police then stopped PNF members from holding the congress at the school as an "unauthorized" event.
Speaking to Channel 13 outside Ghiyauddin, Zain alleged political influence behind the police obstruction and characterized it as an "Eid gift" from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
"Muizzu is obstructing to prevent us from holding the rally by sending SO [Specialist Operations police officers] in riot gear to obstruct members of the public and supporters from coming in here. We're seeing the beginning of a dictatorship," Zain said.
After police officers closed the school's gate and blocked entry to Elections Commission (EC) officials and journalists, the venue was changed to the Raalhugadu area in Malé's eastern waterfront. The congress was held at the old Newport restaurant building with the Male' city council's permission, according to the party.
Previously scheduled to begin at 10 am, the congress started at 12:20 am with 329 members. Former Minister Mohamed Maleeh Jamal presided over the meeting.
PNF inaugural congress. -- Photo: Mirash Nashim/ Adhadhu
The PNF's name, colours, logo, governing statutes and manifesto were approved at the congress.
A light pink and blue were approved as the party's colors together with a logo made up of a crescent moon and a star.
The former Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) office in Henveiru Hurafa was approved as the PNF's office.
The party's statutes and manifesto were also approved with the unanimous consent of the founding members.
PNF logo.
