MDP alleges PNC of using state resources to boost party membership

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has alleged ruling party People's National Congress (PNC) of influencing state institutions and misusing state resources to increase the party's membership.

In a statement issued by the party, MDP claimed that PNC is trying to increase its membership through government offices and companies by influencing state resources at the behest of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

Expressing concern over this, the party also said that they have received complaints of such work being done during working hours, which gets in the way of official work.

"[We] have been receiving information by employees of some government offices that party membership form filling work is being done at government buildings during working hours, and that employees are tasked with doing this, which is disrupting official work there," MDP's statement read.

There are also complaints that the current PNC government, like former ruling party Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) government, is influencing jobs to increase the number of members of the party. As such, forcing them to sign with PNC under the threat of taking away their jobs is unacceptable, MDP also said.

The party also said that the Elections Commission should take action against PNC for filling up forms and increasing its membership using personal information stored in government institutions, and called on relevant authorities to investigate the issue of forging signatures to register people to the party.