The Elections Commission (EC) has asked banks to issue MVR 27.9 million to five registered political parties.
Parties with 10,000 members will get the funds. MVR 13.3 million of 47 percent of funds go to ruling People's National Congress (PNC).
According to the Political Parties Act, the funds to political parties is 0.1 percent of the estimated revenue in the annual state budget.
Party memberships and funds
- People's National Congress (PNC) - MVR 13.31 million, 68,968 members
- Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) - MVR 8.45 million, 43,755 members
- Jumhooree Party (JP) - MVR 2.65 million, 13,826 members
- Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) - MVR 1.76 million, 9,210 members
- Adhaalath Party (AP) - MVR 1.71 million, 9,049 members
The ruling party faced a fake membership scandal with thousands of people registered to the party without their knowledge.
Official complaints were filed with the EC and the police. PNC admitted to increasing membership through fake forms using forged signatures, fingerprints and stolen photos.
Authorities have not provided an update on the investigation and the EC decided to issue funds without excluding the members registered through the fraudulent scheme.
