MDP requests police investigation into fraudulent party membership forms

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has requested Maldives Police Service to investigate the fraudulent party membership form issue that came to light recently.

In a post on X, MDP accused ruling party PNC of stealing the public's personal information to fill up forms as part of their membership drive, and called for a criminal investigation into the allegations.

MDP said it has reported the matter to both police and the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC). It has also filed separate request with the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) to order both agencies to investigate the complaints.

The issue garnered significant public criticism after it was discovered that Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyad, a member of MDP, was registered to PNC without his knowledge.

Along with the string of complaints filed with various authorities, MDP has also approved to file a motion with the parliament to remove Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan. The party alleges his direct involvement in the misuse of information sourced from the Department of National Registration, which Ihusan oversees.

PNC has since taken responsibility and admitted that fraudulent forms were submitted to the Elections Commission as part of their membership drive. It has also vowed to cooperate with police as an investigation looms over the party following the Elections Commission escalating a complaint to the agency.