The opposition coalition has said it will challenge giving President Abdulla Yameen the presidential ticket of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) unchallenged.

At the coalition’s press conference on Monday, Maduvvari MP Mohamed Ameeth expressed concern over President Yameen being given the ruling party’s ticket without a democratic vote.

Ameeth explained that the ticket could only be given without a primary election, after no one shows interest in running, and then after the party council votes on who to give it to.

He added that an incumbent president of the party could be given the ticket to be elected to a second term once the congress approves.

The MP said that PPM’s decision to hand over the ticket to President Yameen was unlawful.