Elections Commission (EC) has denied Finance Ministry's claims that the commission did not request the ministry to release the budget allocated to opposing Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
Finance Ministry stated that they released funds allocated from the national budget to three political parties on the request of the Elections Commission on Sunday. They are main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Jumhooree Party (JP) and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA).
However, a tweet posted by Commissioner of Elections, Ahmed Shareef said the commission made the request at the Finance Ministry for PPM's funds to be released along with the funds for the rest of the parties.
"The Election Commission did not withhold the funds of any party", said Shareef.
Details of the budget allocation to political parties:
Maldivian Democratic Party: MVR 12.8 million
Progressive art of Maldives: MVR 9.3 million
Jumhooree Party: MVR 2.5 million
Maldives Development Alliance: MVR 2.03 million
According to the Political Party Act, all parties that exceed a membership of 10,000 members are qualified for state funding. Although several new political parties were established in the rceent months, only four parties currently hold a membership over 10,000.
Commissioner of Elections Ahmed Shareef
