MDP files suit against State for unrecieved funds

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has filed a civil suit against state for failing to release funds to political parties mandated by law. The case was filed in Civil Court on Thursday and seeks to claim over MVR 7 million owed to the Party. Clause 35 (f) of the Political Parties Act mandates that all funds that are to be distributed to parties must be done so in the first three months of the year. Finance Ministry is still yet to disclose when the funds will be released to the parties. Even last year, the funds were handed over in November. Then Elections Commission (EC) said the delay was as the Court had not reached a decision on the issue of fingerprints. Due to this, the number of members in any Party was in question and therefore, the funds could not be released. EC is yet to disclose a reason on the delay, but said all relevant documentation had been sent to Finance Ministry. Last year, MVR 23 million was allotted as funds to political parties, with Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) claiming over MVR 10 million. MDP got MVR 7 million, while opposition aligned Jumhooree Party (JP) netted MVR 2.9 million. Government coalition partner Maldivian Development Alliance (MDA) earned MVR 2.8 million. As Adhaalath Party and Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party (DRP) did not meet the threshold membership of 10,000 members funds were not released to these parties.