Bank to channel MVR 13M from 2025 budget to ruling PNC
The actual amount disbursed to each party was calculated based on membership figures as of 31 December 2024
The home minister is alleged to have been involved in filling fraudulent forms to increase PNC’s membership count
MVR 13 million from the 2025 state budget has been sent to the bank for disbursement to the ruling People's National Congress (PNC), according to the Elections Commission of Maldives.
The funds are part of MVR 27.98 million allocated to political parties in the 2025 budget, representing 0.01 percent of projected state revenue, to be distributed among registered parties with at least 10,000 members as of the date the People’s Majlis approved the budget.
The Elections Commission stated that the funds were processed and sent to banks on Monday for deposit into party accounts.
According to the commission, PNC received the largest share of the allocation, followed by the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). The Jumhooree Party (JP) received the third-largest amount, while the Adhaalath Party (AP) and the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) also received funding.
Breakdown of fund allocation:
- MVR 13,326,689.57 for the People's National Congress (PNC)
- MVR 8,454,780.51 for the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)
- MVR 2,671,598.57 for Jumhooree Party (JP)
- MVR 1,779,648.69 for the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA)
- MVR 1,748,538.65 for Adhaalath Party (AP)
While five political parties received state funding under the 2025 budget, four of them had fines deducted for violations of laws and regulations, according to the Elections Commission. MDP was the only party to receive its full allocation without any penalties.
The ruling PN) and the MDA each had MVR 10,000 deducted, while JP was fined MVR 15,000. AP faced the largest deduction, with a fine of MVR 35,000.
Final Disbursements After Deductions:
- MVR 13,316,689.57 for the People's National Congress (PNC)
- MVR 8,454,780.51 for the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)
- MVR 2,656,598.57 for Jumhooree Party (JP)
- MVR 1,769,648.69 for the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA)
- MVR 1,713,538.65 for Adhaalath Party (AP)
Under the Political Parties Act, the state allocates 0.1 percent of estimated annual revenue to fund political parties that meet a membership threshold. For the 2025 budget, a total of MVR 27.98 million was distributed among parties with at least 10,000 members on the date the budget was passed by the People’s Majlis, 27 November 2024.
However, the actual amount disbursed to each party was calculated based on membership figures as of 31 December 2024. Notably, both the Adhaalath Party and MDA had fallen below the 10,000-member threshold by year-end, each losing over 1,000 members in the span of just over a month. Despite this drop, they still received funding based on their earlier eligibility.
Membership Figures as of 31 December 2024:
- People's National Congress (PNC): 68,968 members
- Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP): 43,755 members
- Jumhooree Party (JP): 13,826 members
- Maldives Development Alliance (MDA): 9,210 members
- Adhaalath Party (AP): 9,049 members
According to Article 35 of the Political Parties Act, funding is calculated at a rate of MVR 193.23 per member, based on year-end membership numbers. Only parties with 10,000 or more members on the date of budget approval are eligible to receive a share of the state funding.
