The Elections Commission (EC) has requested the Finance Ministry to disburse funds to the opposing Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) and Jumhooree Party (JP).
The Commission's President Fuwad Thawfeeq said the request was made at the ministry last week. He said that both parties had submitted all necessary documentation required to release the funds.
As per the Political Party Act, political parties that have a membership of over 10,000 members are eligible to receive funds from the state. The four parties that qualify to receive funds this year are the main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), ruling coalition partners Jumhooree Party and Adhaalath Party, and opposing Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM).
As per the Political Party Act, the funds issued to political parties must be between 0.1 and 0.2 percent of the total national budget for the year. A party must have 10,000 members to qualify for state funding.
Political parties and details of funding
MDP: MVR 15,024,009.6 - 54,660 members
PPM: MVR 9,410,483.51 - 34,237 members
JP: MVR 5,526,669.75 - 20,107 members
AP: MVR 2,900,903.79 - 10,554 members
Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom (L), Gasim Ibrahim (R)
