Elections Commission (EC) has given approval to form former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s Maldives Reform Movement (MRM).

EC gave the go-ahead to higher education minister Dr. Ibrahim Hassan at a meeting on Sunday.

Dr. Hassan said that they are ready to register the party as soon as possible. The deadline to submit their request is May 19.

Dr. Hassan said that the party’s main purpose will be to protect President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s government and the coalition.

Former Jumhooree Party member Abdullah Kamaludeen, who is playing a key role in forming MRM, said that MRM members aims to stand together and move forward with a strong political philosophy.

Maumoon, who has founded two political parties before, said that he is willing to accept any role in a party. He had first founded Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) during his presidency and later resigned after announcing his retirement from politics. However, he later ended his resignation and founded Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) due to the disagreements within DRP.

Maumoon was ousted from PPM by Abdulla Yameen, his half-brother, during Yameen’s presidency.

Candidates in April’s parliamentary election who support Maumoon will be running under MRM.