Opposition PPM's presidential ticket awarded to President Yameen

People's Progressive Party, the opposition party of the Maldives has awarded the party's presidential ticket to former president Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayyoom.

The party awarded the ticket to President Yameen in a mega rally held in the capital Male' city. Representatives from all the inhabited islands of Maldives took part in handing over the party ticket to the former president.

The joint council of PPM and PNC unanimously agreed to award the presidential ticket to President Yameen in a session held last month.

The presidential election of the Maldives is to be held in 2023. President Yameen ruled the Maldives from 2013 to 2018. He lost the 2018 elections to the incumbent President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih.

Upon assuming office Solih started a witch hunt against members of the previous administration. President Yameen was sentenced to 5 years in jail within the first year of President Solih's administration. However, the Supreme Court of the Maldives overturned the conviction and freed President Yameen last year.