PPM's elected leader's faction seeks to halt congress session

Daughter of ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)'s elected leader is seeking to halt a party congress meeting organized by its chief advisor's faction.

The party has been divided into two factions since 2016; with one belonging to elected leader and co-founder jailed former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and the other to his half-brother incumbent President Abdulla Yameen. Its reins were handed over to Yameen by the Civil Court, following a case filed by his faction.

Yumna Maumoon filed a case at the Civil Court on Thursday, seeking a temporary injunction to halt the congress session.

Earlier on Thursday, Yumna's husband Mohamed Nadheem sent a letter to the Elections Commission, seeking the same thing.

Noting that the meeting has been scheduled against the party's regulations, Nadheem in the letter emphasized that the party's council's term had ended in January this year and that they have no authority to hold a congress meeting.

He further highlighted that a council meeting can be held with the party's leader, adding that Gayoom was removed from the position 'against regulations'.

Earlier this week, PPM's former deputy leader Ibrahim Waheed stated that its regulations state that 'a party congress cannot be held without the participation of its elected leadership'.

Waheed added that they will file a ‘criminal and civil’ case if the congress is held.