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ACC investigates MDP phone calls on Veshi Fahi Programme

21 March 2019, MVT 13:24
Members of the Anti-Corruption Commission. PHOTO: ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION.
21 March 2019, MVT 13:24

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) announced on Wednesday that an investigation is being conducted into accusations brought forward against Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) over a series of underhanded phone calls.

The claims concern phone calls that were made to individuals eligible for Veshi Fahi Male’ social housing programme allegedly offering bribes in exchange for votes.

Vice President of ACC Muaviz Rasheed stated that issues concerning the revival of the Veshi Fahi programme was put forward by media outlets and that a decision would be made after post internal discussions.

A journalist reported that an MDP Office was in possession of a file identifying 4,000 people that applied for the Veshi Fahi programme. The applicants comprised of people living in severe conditions as well as those otherwise eligible for flats under the social housing schemes.

According to the Elections General Act, from the date elections are announced spanning till 30 days from the voting day, expenses incurred by the candidate intended to sway potential votes for competitors or offered as an incentive to vote for the candidate, is considered to be a form of bribery.

MDP denied allegations of promising flats to any citizens, but confirmed that phone calls were made to invite locals to an event hosted by the party to disseminate information about the Veshi Fahi programme.

Nevertheless, persons that received phone calls, made in the name of MDP offices, confirmed that promises were made to allocate housing units, if votes were in the party's favor.

MDP is hosting a special event in the Alimas Carival on Wednesday night to provide information about the 'Agenda 19' Veshi Fahi housing programme. On several previous occasions, the ruling party stated that of all electoral vows, its highest priority would be addressing all housing-related issues.

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