MDP questions intent behind new political party fine; accuses gov of tyranny

Lawmakers from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Monday questioned the government’s intentions in proposing legislative amendments which will see party members, along with their respective political parties, penalized with steep fines legal violations.

The amendments to the Political Parties Act were sponsored by Dhidhdhoo MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed.

The government bill will see people who violate the Political Parties Act penalized with fines in the range of MVR 30,000-MVR 75,000, and the party they represent with a fine of MVR 100,000.

During the preliminary debate on the bill on Monday afternoon, Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir said that the actions of the incumbent People’s National Congress (PNC) administration show the Maldives is headed towards autocratic rule.

He accused President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of attempting to gain control of all of the country’s independent institutions – referring to separate legislative amendments which will empower the President to directly appoint presidents and vice presidents of two independent institutions – the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Elections Commission.

Mauroof questioned the administration’s intention in introducing an MVR 100,000 fine.

He also expressed concern that the bill will see the budget allocation for political parties changed from 0.1 percent – 0.2 percent of the total annual state budget to 0.1 percent – 0.2 percent of the total projected revenue.

Joining the bill, Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa said that the people, who had such high hopes for the PNC administration, were now deeply disillusioned.

He alleged that corruption and depravity within the PNC administration had reached to levels unseen in any other administration.

He, too, said the PNC administration is turning tyrannical.

“Honorable Speaker, these issues in democracy aren’t getting resolved because of failure to deliver pledges. These pledges must be delivered in order to establish a strong system. Power cannot be held with an iron fist. A lot of things have changed for the better with the introduction of political parties. Political parties must learn to rule for the sake of the people,” he said.

The government said it proposed the fines to reduce instances where political parties violate the law and to promote accountability.