Yumna to Uncle Yameen: Still unable to get any candidates?

Yumna Maumoon, daughter of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, has criticized her half-uncle, President Abdulla Yameen's faction of the divided Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

PPM's President Yameen faction was to hold a special gathering- titled 'Heyvalla'- on February 4, but had decided to postpone the event, citing Elections Commission (EC)'s decision to postpone the dates of the Local Council Elections.

Speaking at a press conference on January 31, party's secretary general, Dr. Abdulla Khaleel had said that the party "is to introduce the candidates who will represent PPM in the council elections and handover party tickets to the candidates, at the gathering."

However, Yumna questioned whether President Yameen's faction had failed to get enough candidates to run in the council elections.

"Local Council Election delayed a number of times. PPM's huge gathering postponed. Are they still unable to get any candidates?" asked Yumna, via twitter on Sunday.

While President Yameen was to make an appearance at the gathering, PPM had reported that over 15,000 party members were expected to attend the rally.

RIFT WITHIN PPM

EC had postponed the Elections from the April 8 to April 15, extending the time for candidates to send in their applications.

This was the second time that the Council Election was postponed, it was originally scheduled for January 14, but was postponed by two months, after the Civil Court ordered EC to do so.

The Civil Court ruling came after President Yameen’s faction of PPM- who are to hold the gathering “Heyvalla”- filed a case, seeking to delay the council elections, citing that the party "was unable to prepare on time due to an internal conflict".

PPM has been divided in to two factions since June 2016, as President Yameen and half-brother, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom continue to be involved in public battle over party leadership. Maumoon is also the leader of Progressive Party of Maldives.

Civil Court ruling ordered that the party be taken over from Maumoon, and handed over to Yameen.