The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has released its financial report for the first quarter of this year, which shows that the party had spent MVR 2.3 million preparing for Local Council Elections.

While the party had been immensely successful in the polls, held earlier this month, had spent the bulk of this sum on campaigning. The party noted how the elections being continuously postponed had only forced them to spend more. 

Initially, the polls were scheduled for January 14th, and was delayed after the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives’s (PPM) faction led by President Abdulla Yameen pursued a case at the civil court on the grounds that they had lost their membership database, though the deadline to submit candidates was December 1st.

The court had ruled in favour of the party and ordered that the elections be held on a date that allows PPM’s candidates adequate time to campaign and prepare for the ballots.The polls were then delayed on the grounds of not being able to acquire spaces to set up polling stations and again over a flu outbreak across the country. 

The report, compiled by the British-based EY (formerly Ernst & Young) – a company that drafted MDP’s financial report last year as well, says that the party spend 2.1 million on land rent and salaries alone. 

MDP had a budget of 10 million when this year began. 7.3 million of this sum was allocated to them by the Elections Commission under the Political Parties Act and the remainder was collected from supporters and well-wishers. 

This report has been shared with the Elections Commission and the Auditor General’s office.