ECM Officially Registers Yameen’s People’s National Front Party

The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) officially recognised the People’s National Front (PNF) on Thursday, marking its registration as a political entity following its split from the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

Formally established by former President Abdullah Yameen, the PNF’s registration by the Commission comes after it granted permission for the party’s formation on November 29 last year. According to the Political Parties Act, Yameen’s son, Zain Abdulla Yameen, is listed as the party’s founder.

advertisement

Despite its official recognition, the PNF did not secure any seats in the 20th Parliamentary Elections conducted on Sunday.

Efforts to establish the PNF commenced on December 10 while Yameen was under house arrest, permitted under special conditions during his serving of an 11-year prison sentence for convictions related to money laundering and bribery.

However, Yameen’s legal situation has since evolved. The High Court overturned the Criminal Court’s verdict on April 18, rescinding the 11-year prison sentence and ordering a retrial following Yameen’s appeal against the convictions.

The decision to form the PNF stemmed from internal disagreements within the PPM leadership, prompting Yameen’s departure from the party. Yameen’s lawyer and former Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, asserted that the PPM-PNC (People’s National Congress) leadership had disowned Yameen.