PNF will seek registration in 'best time', Maleeh says
He also said that the PNF's goal is to release Yameen, who is serving a jail sentence at home, before the party's founding meeting.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
Former President Abdulla Yameen's new party, the People's National Front (PNF), will apply for registration at the most opportune moment in this politically turbulent times, former minister Mohammed Maleeh Jamal said on Monday.
With the falling out between President Mohamed Muizzu and Yameen, Yameen announced his decision to leave the PPM and form a new party on 23rd last month. Thus:
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PNF applied for permission to register a new party on 26th last month and the Election Commission granted permission on 29th last month to reach the required 3,000 members
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The party's founders have previously said they will reach 3,000 members within 24 hours
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More than two weeks have passed since the party was approved for formation, but it has not yet submitted for registration
Asked about it, Maleeh, who was Youth Minister in Yameen's government and Technology Minister in the early days of the last government, told Atoll Times that he did not believe the party's registration application was late.
"[The work] is progressing according to plan and target. The timing of the submission will be decided at the best time based on the political situation," he said.
Another reason for not submitting registration yet, according to Maleeh, is to include members from all islands in the country among the first 3,000 members.
He also said that the PNF's goal is to release Yameen, who is serving a jail sentence at home, before the party's founding meeting.
"President Yameen must be released for the national assembly. He must be able to attend the party's founding assembly," he said.
MMPRC scam: Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in jail by the Criminal Court in December last year on charges of money laundering and accepting bribes in the lease of V. Aarah.
The verdict, which closed the door for Yameen to contest the September presidential election, and he is currently under house arrest. The previous government transferred him from prison to house arrest after the presidential election results.
Yameen's 11-year jail sentence is currently pending appeal in the High Court. The hearings have been completed and the verdict will be handed down soon .
However, the High Court is currently on recess.
