Parliament votes to cut down party funding, introduce MVR 100K fine

The Parliament on Wednesday passed legislature submitted by the government to cut down state funding for political parties and introduce an MVR 100,000 fine for political parties for violation of the Political Parties Act.

The amendments to the Political Parties Act were sponsored by Dhidhdhoo MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed, a lawmaker from the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).

The 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.

A second amendment 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 - which will reduce state funding for political parties.

It will also repeal Article 10 of the Act, which is the provision regarding party primaries.

The bill passed on Wednesday afternoon with a majority vote of 61-10.

The bill was passed with two amendments made by the Whole House Committee during its review of the bill. This includes adding a clause to impose a five-year ban on the use of the color, name, sign, logo or any other symbol of a political party that is dissolved. The other was to repeal a clause which requires the dissolution of parties that fail to hold national council meetings at least once every five years.

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

The Maldives currently has 11 registered political parties; the MDP, PNC, PPM, Adhaalath Party, Jumhoory Party, MDA, MTD, MNP, MRM, Democrats, and PNF.