MP slams allegations PNC forging signatures to inflate membership as ‘100% fake news’

Mohamed Ismail, the deputy leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC)’s parliamentary group, has dismissed allegations that the ruling party is using forged signatures to inflate the party’s membership, describing the claims as “100% fake news.”

Responding to a news article shared on the social media platform X regarding former state minister for heritage Mohamed Tariq (Manadhoo Tariq) filing a police complaint after being allegedly fraudulently registered to PNC, Ismail said that the party’s membership drive had been conducted under his direct supervision, and that all membership forms were filled in the presence of people who wish to join the party.

“This is 100% fake news. I led the PNC’s membership drive and it took place under my direct supervision. We fill forms by directly visiting the people. This is something they did themselves,” said Ismail, in a post on X on Sunday night.

Ismail, who represents the Vilimale’ constituency in the Parliament, said he was ready to be questioned by the police in the matter.

“Its clear. It has been 11 months since PNC has been holding a nationwide membership drive, including in Male’ City, Vilimale’, and Hulhumale’. We received overwhelming support from the people in filling out the forms,” he said.

Police javaabu dhaanee vaan dhiumah ready. Varah saafu PNC mulhi Raahjjey ga membership ithuru kurumuge harakaaiy hingaathaa 11 month vee male Citee Viliamle hulhumale ga hingaathaa ves 11 month vee Raiyythun ge tharuheeb heskiyaafa libugen from furee. https://t.co/TaCshKvfra

— Mohamed Ismail (@MPMohdIsmail) December 29, 2024

The remarks come a day after the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) released a statement saying it has been receiving numerous complaints regarding the party’s members being included in the membership registry of other political parties, especially the PNC, without their knowledge or consent.

The MDP said that scores of members, including members of the party’s national council, have been removed from the MDP and registered to PNC – which has said it aims to boost its membership to 100,000.

The party said it plans to file a formal complaint with the Elections Commission (EC), and also asked for other relevant authorities to investigate the allegations.

The MDP has repeatedly accused the PNC of misusing state resources to boost its membership.

In November, the Parliament passed no-confidence motions against Elections Commission (EC)’s then-vice president Ali Nashath and member Mohamed Asif in face of serious allegations of misconduct including creating and selling fake membership applications to political parties. However, commissioner Dr. Mohamed Zahir – who faced the same allegations - survived the vote.

Back in November, the PNC announced that it had received enough memberships to boost its membership to 97,000.

The EC’s official records show that the MDP continues to have the highest membership among political parties with 50,851 members as of September 19, with PNC’s membership at 28,983.