Authorities decline probe despite evidence of DNR data used to boost PNC membership

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has closed the case citing insufficient evidence for criminal prosecution in the matter involving former State Minister of the Ministry of Heritage, Mohamed Thoriq, who was found to be registered with the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).

According to the police investigation report, the form submitted to the Elections Commission of Maldives in Mohamed Thoriq’s name by the People’s National Congress (PNC) was found to be inauthentic, a finding the police formally communicated to the Commission.

The police stated that the case was filed because the political party that submitted the form was fined MVR 5,000, as informed, and there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges in the matter.

Further, the police reported that the fingerprint on the form submitted by PNC did not match Thoriq's fingerprint. They also mentioned that the fingerprint on the form did not match any fingerprints in the police database.

Photos showing forms being filled, photos being attached, and the process of recruiting members for PNC within DNR, which operates under the home ministry, have been leaked on social media. From the photos that became public, it is evident that DNR's data computer system and the screen in the meeting room were being used, and the photos taken and attached to forms are old ID card photos people had given to make ID cards.

Said photos show Minister Ihusaan, along with other political officials of the home ministry and the Deputy Minister in charge of running DNR.

The incident has sparked widespread criticism of Minister Ihusaan, with many calling for his resignation.

Responding to the no-confidence motion against his at the People’s Majlis, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan said that when people were being recruited to PNC, party leaders asked each minister to increase membership by a certain amount.

He was tasked with obtaining at least 500 forms, and the plan was to assign this responsibility to all political parties. He said that 50 political staff at the Home Ministry were each assigned to obtain at least 10 or 15 forms. Forms brought under this system were handed over to the State Ministers of the ministry, and Ihusaan said that the photos being leaked would also be in that group.

Ihusaan said that form-filling work was done at a DNR meeting room in the evening. When the forms were brought in filled, the witness section was left blank, and the work of putting fingerprints, signatures, and filling in details in the witness section was done at the meeting room.

During the eighth sitting of the first session of this year's 20th People's Majlis held on 25 February 2025, Ihusaan reportedly said that the forms filled within DNR for PNC were signed by political staff of the home ministry as witnesses.

It was also stated that Ihusaan said the forms were signed and fingerprinted in the absence of the individuals whose details were provided on the forms.