EC asked to discontinue requirement for fingerprints

The Parliament Independent Institutions Committee has notified Elections Commission (EC) to discontinue the requirement to include fingerprints on application forms to join political parties.

The Committee decided today that there is no law or regulation that accords EC the authority to impose this requirement.

Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Dhiddhoo MP Ahmed Sameer highlighted that the Maldives does not have a mechanism or system to collect and store fingerprints.

Department of National Registration, when summoned to the Committee, also informed that no fingerprint database exists for Maldivian citizens, and that fingerprints are taken only for specified purposes.

The issue was submitted to the Committee by Hanimaadhoo MP Mohamed Mujtaz, following concerns raised by political parties.