Can hold funds, but will not cease political activities: Ahmed Abdulla

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Deputy Chairperson Finance and former Member of Parliament Ahmed Abdulla says that even though the state had withheld finances given to political parties, the Party will not cease their political activities.

The newly elected Deputy Chair made the statement speaking to RaajjeTV.

He said that 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. Ahmed added that Finance Ministry is still yet to disclose when the funds will be released to the parties.

Ahmed assured that the Party will continue to function in spite of this, stating that Party leadership will hold discussions prior to initiating action.

MDP had 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.

Back in 2016, 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 total 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 current 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.