The ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has asked candidates contesting for the upcoming parliamentary elections on their ticket to submit financial statements to the party. 

Afshan Latheef, MDP’s secretary general, told a press conference on Monday that candidates have been asked to submit their statements by 8pm on 14th February. 

Afshan said that the party has strongly encouraged all their candidates to abide by the its efforts to ensure transparency of the upcoming vote. 

A format, which will soon be shared with the media, has already been provided to candidates. The MDP held a primary election in mid-January. 

At Monday’s conference, Afshan also confirmed reports that the candidacy form for 10 of their candidates has been contested by the Elections Commission.

Afshan said that information required in the forms for 10 candidates had not been filled out and this documentation issue will be resolved soon.

MDP’s decision to contest nearly all constituencies has been criticised by coalition partner Jumhooree Party, which is ‘open to working’ with parties outside the government coalition. 

MDP had also agreed to withdraw candidates for agreed constituencies in favour of the Adhaalath Party, although none of the party’s candidates agreed to withdraw candidacy.