Elections Commission on Thursday authorised the formation of the new political party, People's National Congress (PNC).
The party's chair, Fonadhoo MP Abdul Raheem Abdulla, confirmed in a tweet that the electoral watchdog has permitted PNC to hold its first gathering to form the party.
The EC finally made its decision after weeks of pressure over withholding permission to form PNC. The commission had come under fire over the long delay in authorising PNC, with members accusing the electoral watchdog of having a personal vendetta.
The leaders of PNC had also met with Speaker of Parliament, Qasim Ibrahim, regarding the issue. The speaker had, in turn, called on EC to allow PNC to hold its formative gathering.
The first sit down must be held with a minimum of 300 members in attendance. During the meeting, the party is mandated to approve its charter, official colours, flag and logo, as well as appoint a temporary council, in order to be registered.
A minimum of 3,000 signatories is required for EC to register a political party, and the party's membership must number 10,000 in order to receive the funds allocated from the State Budget.
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