A total of 183 individuals applied to contest in the upcoming parliamentary elections by Friday, reveals the Elections Commission.

While the deadline to submit candidacy papers is February 21, Elections Commissioner Ahmed Shareef revealed the current total via twitter on Friday evening.

According to his tweet, the 183 comprises of 86 from main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), seven from Adhaalath Party, six from Jumhooree Party (JP), 14 from opposition Progressives Party of Maldives (PPM) and four from its coalition partners People's National Congress (PNC), seven from Maldives Development Alliance and 59 independent candidates.

However, some parties have announced that they will be fielding more candidates and even given them tickets; both JP and PPM have given party tickets to over 40 candidates.

While JP is part of the ruling coalition, the party has decided to 'work with other parties' following MDP's decision to contest in all constituencies. MDP is fielding 86 candidates, out of 87, as there were no applicants for one of the constituencies.

According to JP, MDP's decision violates a coalition agreement to distribute seats between partners. MDP denies that such an agreement ever existed.

The main ruling party is still in discussion with partner Adhaalath, to give up five constituencies for the party.

Another coalition partner, the Maumoon Reform Movement is not a political party but are to field 24 candidates independently. They are in the works to officially register the 'Maldives Reform Movement' at the Elections Commission.