Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) has officially been registered as a political party.

The registration certificate was presented at a meeting at the Elections Commission (EC) on Monday.

Speaking at the meeting, Elections Commissioner Ahmed Shareef appealed to the members to ensure that the party works within the country’s laws.

MRM was formed by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, and is the third party formed under his leadership. While the first one was Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), the second one -Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)- was formed amid the differences of opinions within the party following the 2008 presidential elections.

Former President Abdulla Yameen won the 2013 presidential elections through a PPM ticket.

MRM was given the permission to hold the assembly, after submitting the required 3,000 membership forms, on October 2. The assembly was held on November 7.

During the ceremony, the party passed its name, logo and basic procedures. The members also elected Gayoom as its leader.

While the party was founded by the former president, it is registered under his daughter and current Heritage Minister, Yumna Maumoon.