Candidates draw lots for PPM primary

The candidates competing for the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) presidential primary has drawn lots to determine their candidate number.

At the event held in PPM office today, the party's Parliamentary Group Leader Abdulla Yameen drew the lot for candidate number 1 and the party’s former Interim Deputy Leader Umar Naseer drew the lot for candidate number 2.

Speaking to the press after the event, Chairman of the party’s Elections Committee Mohamed Tholal said that ballot boxes will be placed in all inhabited islands in the country and that the printing of ballot papers is currently underway. He said that it was decided that a total of 26,000 pieces of ballot paper will be initially printed, but the number is expected to increase to 30,000 once the membership forms, currently pending in the Elections Commission, have been approved.

“We will place a ballot box in every single inhabited island. The printing of ballot paper is currently ongoing. We are printing 26,000 pieces of ballot paper at first. That is the current amount. But there are 3,000 forms pending registration,” Tholal said.

Lots were drawn by two nominees representing the candidates; Yameen and Umar. The candidates themselves did not participate in the event.

The PPM presidential primary is scheduled to be held on the 30th Saturday of this month, and will be held in all inhabited islands across the country.