Bill to introduce MVR 100K political party fine set to committee

The government bill to introduce a MVR 100,000 fine for political parties for violation of the Political Parties Act has been accepted into the Parliament and sent to a committee for review.

The amendments to the Political Parties Act were sponsored by Dhidhdhoo MP Abdul Latheef Mohamed.

It was accepted into the Parliament will a majority vote of 60-5 on Tuesday afternoon, and subsequently sent to the Whole House Committee for review.

The bill will see people who violate the Political Parties Act penalized with fines in the range of MVR 30,000-MVR 75,000, and the party they represent with a fine of MVR 100,000.

It will also repeal Article 10 of the Act, which is the provision regarding party primaries.

A third amendment will see the budget allocation for political parties changed from 0.1 percent – 0.2 percent of the total annual state budget to 0.1 percent – 0.2 percent of the total projected revenue.

The government said it proposed the amendments to reduce instances where political parties violate the law and to promote accountability.

The Maldives currently has 11 registered political parties; the MDP, PNC, PPM, Adhaalath Party, Jumhoory Party, MDA, MTD, MNP, MRM, Democrats, and PNF.