Minister Ihusan: There will be over 90,000 members in PNC if there was any influence

Home Minister Ali Ihusan states there will be over 90,000 members in ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) at present had members been enrolled in the party using Department of National Registration (DNR)’s database through influence as claimed.

The ruling party was accused of using data from DNR database to fill fake membership forms at the end of last year.

During Wednesday’s parliamentary sitting, South Hulhumale’ MP Dr. Ahmed Shamheed questioned the Minister, asking whether he leveraged his official capacity to force DNR staff into filling out fake membership forms.

In response, the Minister denied the allegations, citing had fake forms been filled, there will be more than 90,000 members in PNC at present.

“If I had used influence to enroll people in the party, you will also be in our party today. No one will be safe. This is evidence that I did not use influence,” he said.

Photos leaked on social media allegedly shows individuals filling fake membership forms for PNC inside the office DNR. Minister Ihusan is also seen in these photos. As he has claimed before, he said he was invited to eat pizza with them.

Amid mounting concern regarding fraudulent enrollment in the ruling party, main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s Vaikaradhoo MP Hussain Ziyadh (Fittey) was fraudulently enrolled to party on December 23rd. Elections Commission (EC) switched Fittey back to MDP’s register, citing he was enrolled in PNC without his consent and knowledge.

PNC has acknowledged submitting several unverified membership forms to EC, however, maintained that it had not been deliberate, and that the party lacks the capacity to verify forms.

Notably, EC has digitized the process of enrollment in political parties via e-Faas to combat the issue of fake forms.

MDP had filed a no-confidence motion against Minister Ihusan over the case, with the signatures of 12 lawmakers from the party. However, PNC which holds supermajority in the Parliament kicked out of the no-confidence motion.