Funding provided to all political parties, except DRP, AP

Elections Commission (EC) has issued fund money to political parties operating in the country, except for Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) and Adhaalath Party (AP).

The money was issued this Wednesday.

EC member, Ahmed Akram spoke to “Sun” and said that the ruling political party, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) – which currently stands the most populous party – was issued MVR 10.10 million.

This amounts to MVR 268.26 for each of its 37,633 members.

Opposition party, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) – which currently stands the second most populous party – was issued MVR 7.33 million.

MDP has 27,805 members.

The third most populous party, Jumhoory Party (JP) was issued MVR 2.95 million.

It has 10,989 members.

Maldivian Development Alliance (MDA), which is part of the government coalition, was issued MVR 2.84 million for its 10,584 members.

Akram said that DRP and AP wasn’t given funding as the membership of both the parties does not reach 10,000 people.

An amendment to Political Parties Act saves State from having to provide funding for any political party which’s membership is not higher than 10,000.