Raajje TV has exposed allegations that employees of the State Electric Company (STELCO) are being coerced into joining the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) through the misuse of official influence.
The revelation was made by Raajje TV’s Head of Programs and Coordination, Amir Saleem, during the station’s "Fashaairu" morning show.
During the live broadcast this morning, Amir called STELCO’s Human Resources Department landline, inquiring which number he should send a screenshot to after signing up for the PNC.
The HR department’s response to Amir’s inquiry confirmed that STELCO staff are being funneled into the ruling party under pressure.
"Just to the STELCO HR number. You would have received a message from this end earlier, right?" the STELCO HR representative stated.
To further clarify the matter, Amir asked if he was required to send a screenshot of the confirmation message from the Elections Commission—which verifies official registration in the party—to the STELCO HR number. The HR representative confirmed this.
In addition to STELCO, employees at various other State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) are reportedly being intimidated and threatened with dismissal if they refuse to join the PNC.
An SOE employee, speaking to Adhadhu on condition of anonymity, said his manager instructed him to join the PNC as soon as possible. The manager reportedly warned that failure to do so would result in the loss of his job.
The employee added that he has no desire to be affiliated with any political party and expressed deep concern over being forced to join one against his will.
The PNC is currently engaged in a massive recruitment drive. Allegations have surfaced that the party is using state resources to fraudulently register individuals without their consent.
While the PNC has set a target of reaching 100,000 members, it has yet to achieve this goal. As of June 30, the party’s official registry stood at 67,579 members. During the same period, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had 55,399 members.
