Loyalists of Former President and current Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed have sought approval from the Elections Commission of Maldives to form their new party.

An application to form ‘The Democrats’ was filed with the Elections Commission under West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef’s name, seeking permission to form the party.

Latheef stated that the new political party, spearheaded by Nasheed will be producing a candidate for this year’s presidential election, slated for September

It has been revealed that the party will be holding discussions with other political parties they can possibly collaborate with, for the presidential polls.

Latheef further noted that even though efforts to accommodate a specific number of members to the party are yet to commence, the party will become a “big” party.

He added that a lot of individuals have been reaching out to join the party.

Spokesperson of the party, Afshan Latheef has also confirmed that they will be producing a candidate for the presidential poll.

Hassan latheef noted that the party aims to garner as much support as possible.

It was also noted that they received overwhelming support for the opportunity opened to submit a name, logo and color to the party created by the “Fikurehge Dhirun”.

He further stated that they received 223 names and the names were filtered and a final name was chosen following consultations with a lot of people.

Although the application to form a new party has been submitted by Nasheed’s loyalists, Nasheed himself, has not yet defected from the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Nasheed continues to hold on to his post as MDP’s president.

His loyalists announced the decision to form a separate party, last week, after the resignation of several parliamentarians who are loyal to Nasheed, from the ruling party.

MP for north Galolhu constituency Eva Abdulla stated that the decision to form the new political party was reached “with great hope”. Eva noted that she left the ruling party and decided to form a new political party as she believes MDP is not based upon the values observed before.

Members of the parliament who submitted their resignation letters include MP for Maafannu Central constituency Ibrahim Rasheed, MP for Maafannu North constituency Imthiaz Fahmi, MP for Machhangolhi North constituency Mohammed Rasheed, MP for Ungoofaaru constituency Mohammed Waheed, MP for G.Dh. Gahdhoo constituency Ahmed Zahir, MP for Henveiru West constituency Hassan Latheef, MP for Galolhu North constituency Eva Abdullah, MP for Hulhudhoo constituency Ilyas Labeeb, MP for Kulhudhuhfushi North constituency Yasir Abdul Lateef, MP for Vilifushi constituency Hassan Afeef, MP for Madaveli constituency Hussain Firshan and MP for Thoddoo constituency Hassan Shiyan.

Since President Solih won MDP’s primary election in January this year, the party has been divided into two factions; one supporting the incumbent president and one backing the former president and current speaker.

President Solih is running for this year’s presidential election as the candidate of the main-ruling party.