Ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) has indefinitely postponed their planned rally to hand over Party tickets to candidates contesting in the upcoming Local Council Elections.

According to the Party the “Heyvallaa” rally was postponed as Elections Commission (EC) had postponed the dates for the Elections.

PPM reported that over 15,000 Party members were expected to attend the rally, with President Abdullah Yameen chairing the session.

EC had postponed the Elections from the 8^th of April to the 15^th of April. Additionally, the Commission had also extended the time for candidates to send in their applications.

This is the second time the Council Elections had been postponed. The Elections were initially slated for January 14^th. However, the date was postponed when Civil Court had decreed in favor of PPM over the suit they had filed in Court. PPM had split into opposing factions led by President Abdullah Yameen and his half-brother former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Maumoon had taken a strong and critical stance against President Yameen, with the elder politician calling for the independence of independent institutions. Maumoon had also claimed that Yameen was ruling the Party against the Party.

]