Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has given tickets to 17 additional individuals, to contest in the upcoming parliamentary elections, without holding a primary.

The announcement was made at a special ceremony held at the PPM main office on Thursday, by the party’s secretary general Mohamed Hussain Shareef. Party leader, former President Abdulla Yameen was in attendance as well.

This includes ruling coalition partner, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s youngest child, Ghassaan Maumoon; he will contest for Guraidhoo constituency.

While Maumoon withdrew support for his half-brother former President Abdulla Yameen in 2016, Ghassaan had chosen to the latter’s side in the dispute. He remained in the government until Yameen’s term concluded on November 17, and has remained silent on the various hardships his father had faced since, including being arrested and convicted on “politically motivated” charges.

Others include former minister at the President’s Office Azima Shakoor, former fisheries minister Dr. Mohamed Shainee, former health minister Abdulla Nazim, former minister Ahmed Zuhoor.

Earlier this week, the former ruling party announced the decision to gift party tickets to 24 of its current representatives in parliament, out of 30, without a primary.