PPM/PNC to contest for parliament as a coalition; primary to be held in January

The PPM/PNC coalition has announced that it will hold a primary in January to decide candidates for next year's parliamentary elections.

The parliamentary primary will be held on January 20, 2023, the PPM/PNC said in a statement.

According to the statement, lawmakers interested in the alliance's parliamentary ticket will be allowed to apply for the same from December 20 to 31.

"In the upcoming parliamentary elections, PPM/PNC will field candidates in a single coalition with both the parties," the party said in a statement.

The announcement of the PPM/PNC coming together for the parliamentary elections comes at a time when there have been rumours that the two parties are contesting the election separately.

PNC, headed by President-elect Dr Mohamed Muizzu, has been trying to add more members to the party, and some PPM members have also joined the party recently.

However, party president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom expressed his dissatisfaction and said that the party members do not have to go to the PNC as they are two parties of the same ideology.