MVR 27.9 million disbursed to political parties

Elections Commission has said that under efforts to disburse funds to political parties exceeding a membership of 10,000, MVR 27 million has now been provided to five political parties. 

This includes MVR 13 million to ruling People's National Congress (PNC). 

The Elections Commission announced that payments due to political parties with at least 10,000 members as of the budget’s approval date have been processed and sent to banks for deposit.

The list published by the Elections Commission shows that opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is to receive MVR 8.45 million, while ruling PNC is set to receive MVR 13.31 million. 

Jumhoori Party stands to receive MVR 2.65 million, and both Adhaalath Party and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) are to receive MVR 1.7 million each. 

Elections Commission said that under the Political Parties Act, 0.1 percent of projected revenue included in the annual State budget is issued for political party operations. Hence, as of December last year, the five political parties which had a minimum of 10,000 members were issued funds at the rate of MVR 193 per person, the commission said. 

As per the Elections Commission website, PNC has the highest membership numbers at present, with 68,665 members. MDP is recorded as having 43,765 members.