The People’s National Congress (PNC) has refuted claims that they have been coercing individuals to join the party.

Fonadhoo constituency MP Abdul Raheem Abdulla, who has been active in founding the party, said that all membership forms are valid, and that they are from individuals who willingly joined the party.

PNC on Wednesday submitted 4,000 membership forms to the Elections Commission, however the commission president said that they have been receiving complaints about the forms.

Commission president Ahmed Shareef told the press on Thursday that they have received complaints of members having been coerced to join the party.

Shareef said that the commission is investigating the matter and will be corroborating the forms before accepting their membership.

MP Raheem had earlier said that they had acquired 8,000 members; the Elections Commission requires new parties to submit 3,000 membership forms in order to be registered.

PNC has been reported to be an offshoot party for Progressive Party of Maldives leader Abdulla Yameen, and current party candidates for the People's Majlis Elections will be defecting once it has been officially registered.