PNC gains over 5,000 members in a single month

Statistics released by the Elections Commission (EC) show that the ruling People's National Congress (PNC), which currently holds a super-majority in the People's Majlis, has increased its membership by more than 5,000 in just 39 days. 

According to data compiled up to December 31 and released tonight, the PNC now has 74,048 members. This is an increase of 5,383 members compared to the party's membership count as of November 25 last year.

When the EC published the figures for state funding of political parties on December 6, it noted that the PNC had 68,665 members as of November 25. This date is significant because it was the day the People's Majlis passed the state budget for the current year. 

The amount of funding provided to political parties from the state budget is determined based on their membership numbers on the day the budget is passed for the following year. Parties must have at least 10,000 members to be eligible for state funding.

Comparing the figures released today with those from December 6, almost all political parties except for the opposition MDP saw a decline in membership. The MDP's membership rose slightly from 43,765 to 43,784 members. 

Among the parties that saw a decrease, the Jumhooree Party (JP) experienced the largest loss, dropping from 13,456 members on November 25 to 12,343 members currently, a loss of 1,113 members.

Similarly, the MDA, which previously had 10,300 members, now has 9,686 members. The Adhaalath Party, which had 10,000 members as recently as last September, saw its numbers drop to 8,844 in November and further down to 8,267 by the end of December. 

The MNP also saw a decline from 5,836 to 5,133 members. Among other registered parties, the PNF has 3,012 members, while The Democrats have 2,952. 

Last year, MVR 27 million was distributed among five parties, with the PNC receiving MVR 13.31 million, the MDP receiving MVR 8.45 million, JP receiving MVR 2.65 million, and both Adhaalath and MDA receiving MVR 1.7 million each.