The Elections Commission (EC) has reported receiving 300 complaints over the past six months regarding unauthorized political party transfers and registrations.
The Elections Commission (EC) has reported receiving 300 complaints over the past six months regarding unauthorized political party transfers and registrations.
EC member Hassan Zakariyya told "Mihaaru" that since opening the complaint submission feature on their portal, they received 300 complaints during the last two quarters of the previous year.
These complaints involve cases of people being registered to parties or having their party affiliations changed without their knowledge. He noted that some of these cases have also been investigated by the police.
"We have taken action on cases that the police have investigated and submitted to us," he said.
According to Hassan, actions were taken last year against the Jumhooree Party, Maldives National Party (MNP), and Adhaalath Party in connection with such cases.
The EC's typical response to such cases involves fining the party's registrar and others involved.
However, the EC has faced significant criticism for not pursuing criminal investigations into these cases, which involve forgery of signatures and unauthorized use of personal information.
These issues have recently resurfaced after the ruling party, PNC, increased its membership from 3,000 to 60,000 following a membership drive.
An MDP National Council member, members of former President Abdullah Yameen's PNF, and some members of the public have publicly complained on social media about being transferred to PNC without their knowledge.
However, PNC has denied these allegations.
The EC has previously stated that they are investigating such cases.
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