The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has received 3000 complaints over fake forms submitted by the People's National Congress (PNC) to increase the ruling party's membership.
At a press conference on Sunday, the MDP's legal director Mahfooz Saeed called on the Prosecutor General (PG) to order an investigation into the matter as it involves public interest.
"Although we have received 3000 complaints so far, we now expect that number to be much higher. So we believe that the Prosecutor General should order an investigation into these cases," Mahfooz stated.
He stressed that this is a matter which involves public interest as the PNC tried to increase its membership through stolen personal data of members of the public and submitted forms without their knowledge.
"Even in the recent land corruption case and the settlement agreements reached by the former government, the PG had issued orders to investigate these cases. While those cases were ordered to be investigated, this case is more connected to the public interest," he said.
Ibrahim Shiyam, a member of the MDP's legal team, said some of the 3,000 complaints received by the MDP showed that many people were admitted to the PNC using forged signatures and photographs on their ID cards.
"If you look at the complaints, there are forms that have old ID card photos. Forged signatures have been used. Then people have said their fingerprints are also forged," he stated.
He alleged that fake forms were submitted to increase PNC membership as part of a massive crime planned and organized by government agencies. He also said it was done intentionally.
"This is not something that only the PNC, only a party can do. We believe that this is a major crime planned and organized by government agencies. This is not an administrative mistake. I highlight that this was not done by mistake," he explained.
According to Section 49 of the Political Parties Act, someone who submits fake forms for political party membership will be fined an amount between MVR 5000 and MVR 10,000 for each form.
Images which show Homeland Security Minister Ihusaan supervising the preparation of fake forms to increase the membership of the ruling party leaked on the social media platform X on Wednesday.
MDP wants Ihusaan suspended until the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the police conclude their investigations. Meanwhile, the MDP parliamentary group has submitted a no-confidence motion against him to the People's Majlis.
