The former president's Maldives Reform Movement is part of the four-party ruling coalition.
Two JP ministers have declared support for the president.
The second MDP government will "show the difference" with a parliament majority, he said.
JP leader Gasim said the ruling coalition party will also back some opposition candidates.
Ballots with marks or drawings were previously counted among valid votes.
Opposition parties called for a postponement over former president Yameen's arrest.
Pro-government candidates will be competing against each other as well as opposition candidates.
Some 264,589 people are eligible to vote.
JP MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed proposed amending the criteria for parliamentary candidates.
Primaries will be held to elect MDP candidates for 77 constituencies.
The PPM ticket was awarded to 42 candidates without a primary contest.
The 51-year-old is running for the newly-formed mid-Machanghoalhi constituency in the capital Malé.
The Elections Commission warned MVR80 million was not enough for the parliamentary elections in March.
The number of constituencies rises to 87.
