People's National Front

The People's National Front (Dhivehi: ޕީޕަލްސް ނެޝެނަލް ފްރޮންޓް, PNF) is a political party in the Maldives.^[3]

People's National Front ޕީޕަލްސް ނެޝެނަލް ފްރޮންޓް
Abbreviation	PNF
Leader	Abdulla Yameen
Founder	Zain Abdulla Yameen
Founded	24 November 2023
Registered	25 April 2024[1][2]
Split from	Progressive Party of Maldives
Headquarters	Henveiru Hurafa, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Malé Maldives
Membership	3,172[1]
Ideology	Social conservatism Right-wing populism Islamism
Political position	Right-wing
Religion	Sunni Islam
Colors	Purple, Light Green
People's Majlis	0 / 80
Website
thenationalfront.org
Politics of Maldives Political parties Elections Membership as of 19 September 2024

History

Former President of the Maldives Abdulla Yameen left the Progressive Party of Maldives after an internal conflict between the PNC and PPM coalition, then decided to form his own party.^[4] Yameen and other members requested approval for the party by the Elections Commission (EC) on 23 November 2023, but since Yameen was serving a sentence for money laundering and bribery he lacked the authority to do so.^[5] His aides went to the EC to discuss the new party. The 8 founding members of the PNF party are:^[6]

• Abdulla Yameen (leader and co-founder)
• Zain Abdulla Yameen (legal founder)
• Mohamed Jameel Ahmed (former vice president)
• Abdulla Jihad (former vice president)
• Ahmed Musthafa
• Hussain Waheed
• Adhlee Ismail
• Ali Adam

EC regulations allow only one official founder. The group chose Abdulla Yameen's son Zain Abdulla Yameen. The party's name, logo, and colors were unveiled on 25 November 2023. It adopted a logo and colors reminiscent of Yameen's previous party, Peoples' Alliance (PA).^[7] He was given permission to form the party and was given 3 months to submit 3,000 membership forms to the EC.^[8][9]

Inaugural meeting

The party submitted its 3000 membership forms to the EC and had been given the greenlight to have an inaugural meeting.^[10][11] It was scheduled to be held at Ghiyasuddin International School however, citing logistical difficulties it could not be held there, however despite being notified, PNF supporters still went there and supporters and police had clashes and the party was forced to hold their inaugural meeting near Sinamalé Bridge where Zain was named Interim President until an actual senate is formed.^[12]

References

1. "People's National Front (PNF)". Elections Commission. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
2. Shahid, Malika (26 April 2024). "Elections Commission registers Yameen's PNF". The Edition. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
3. Abdulla, Aishath Fareeha (24 November 2023). "Yameen's new party called People's National Front". Atoll Times. Archived from the original on 30 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
4. Mohamed, Mariyath (24 November 2023). "Yameen quits PPM, announces new party". The Edition. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
5. "Application submitted at EC for formation of Yameen's PNF party". Avas. 26 November 2023. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
6. "Yameen's son named as founder of his new party, PNF". Sun. 26 November 2023. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
7. "Yameen's next chapter unveiled: Peoples' National Front". Avas. 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
8. "Yameen Granted Approval to Form New Political Party". MV+. 29 November 2023. Archived from the original on 29 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
9. Shahid, Malika (29 November 2023). "Elections Commission greenlights formation of former President Yameen's PNF". The Edition. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
10. Mohamed, Mariyath (27 February 2024). "People's National Front submits 3000 membership forms to Elections Commission". The Edition. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
11. Mohamed, Mariyath (5 April 2024). "Elections Commission gives go ahead to PNF to hold inaugural gathering". The Edition. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
12. Mohamed, Mariyath (10 April 2024). "PNF Formation Meeting held through obstructions, Zain appointed Interim President". The Edition. Retrieved 14 April 2024.