Two former members of opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) have rejoined the party, together with long-time Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) member Ahmed Abdul Kareem.

PPM announced that former members Mohamed Maleeh Jamaal and Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim had rejoined the party on Monday, with a ceremony held to handover their membership forms to opposition coalition leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla; Abdulla is the leader of People's National Congress (PNC).

While Maleeh had served as the current administration's Minister of Communication, Science and Technology Mohamed Maleeh Jamaal until his impeachment this March. He had served as the youth minister during former President Abdulla Yameen's tenure.

Former MP Waheed was dismissed from PPM back in 2017 for repeatedly violating the parliamentary group’s whip-line. He joined then-opposition and later signed with Jumhooree Party.

While Abdul Kareem has been an MDP member ever since, he was recently seen working closely together with PPM's former Housing Minister Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during the last council elections.

Political parties have been increasing their activities as the 2023 presidential elections draws closer. While new parties are being formed, existing parties such as PPM are working to increase their membership to 100,000 prior to the vote.