The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has revealed that it is investigating waivers and policies introduced by the government ahead of the presidential election.
A total of 61 election-related complaints were submitted to the commission, of which 29 were registered for probes, the ACC said on Tuesday.
The cases include alleged election bribery, undue influence and misuse of state resources, it added.
Some complaints registered by the ACC:
- Scrapping of requirement for parking garage to register taxis and introduction of MVR 10,000 registration fee
- Increasing senior citizens allowance to MVR 7,000
- Waiving interest payments for loans issued to small businesses
- Introducing an allowance for school principals working outside home island
- Deciding to pay STEP allowance to judiciary staff
- Complaints related to the ‘Binveriya’ housing scheme
The cases involve policy changes made by the government days before the presidential election.
The ACC said it is looking into matters related to the complaints and carrying out investigations.
All complaints that fall under the commission’s jurisdiction and are filed with sufficient information are being registered, the ACC said.
The commission must adhere to standards laid out in the country’s criminal procedures law in conducting probes and closing cases, the ACC noted.
Most cases about the election were submitted to the ACC anonymously. Of the 29 registered complaints, 26 complaints were filed by individuals and three were filed by political parties.
The national complaints bureau of the Elections Commission also submitted four cases.
Addressing the allegations at a campaign rally last night, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said the policies he has announced since the first round of the presidential election were all manifesto pledges and that he was forced to provide details to counter efforts to mislead the public.
“Even though I announce a higher price for fishermen today, it was written in our manifesto. Increasing the allowance for the elderly was written in the manifesto. Awarding plots and providing housing to the people of Male’ was written in the manifesto,” Solih said.
“Because some people have been lying to deceive I was forced to provide further details and that’s what I’ve been revealing.”
