The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has initiated the process of dissolving the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
Founded by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, the party was officially registered on 27 October 2011. Over the years, the party’s ownership and leadership have undergone significant changes. Most recently, the party was operated as part of a coalition with the ruling Peoples’ National Congress (PNC).
In an extraordinary Senate session held on 2 December, PPM reached the decision to dissolve itself. PPM had explained its reason for seeking dissolution as finding it unreasonable for the party to be managed under a separate leadership while PNC is operated under similar ideologies and policies.
The ECM said as the PPM’s Senate had decided to dissolve the party as per Article 61 of the party’s Constitution, it is currently conducting the required procedures under the Political Party Act to formalise the dissolution.
The commission further said the PPM can no longer act or communicate as a political party except under circumstances where communication is required to facilitate its dissolution. If there are any decisions to be made in relation to the party, any pending matters must be resolved before the party’s dissolution, ECM added.