The Maldivian government has introduced significant amendments to the Political Parties Act, aiming to strengthen regulations surrounding political party operations. This proposal, spearheaded by Abdul Latheef Mohamed, the MP for the Dhihdhoo constituency and a member of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), seeks to revise Article 49 of the Act.
New Penalties for Violating the Act
One of the key aspects of the proposed amendments is the introduction of hefty fines for individuals who violate the Political Parties Act. Under the new guidelines, individuals could face fines ranging from MVR 30,000 to MVR 75,000 for various infractions. Furthermore, political parties that are found to be in violation could incur a substantial fine of MVR 100,000. This shift represents a major change, as the current Act does not impose financial penalties on political parties themselves.
Previously, Article 49 stipulated that if an individual's name was improperly submitted for party membership, they could be fined between MVR 5,000 and MVR 10,000. Other violations of the Act also carried fines of MVR 30,000 to MVR 75,000. The introduction of party fines marks a significant tightening of regulations intended to hold both individuals and their affiliated parties accountable.
Changes to Funding Allocations
In addition to imposing new penalties, the proposed amendments also target the funding structure for political parties from the State budget. Currently, the total funding allocated to parties is required to be between 0.1% and 0.2% of the total annual budget. The new amendment proposes a shift to a funding model based on a percentage of the State revenues projected in the annual budget. This change aims to ensure that party funding is more closely aligned with the overall financial health of the State, potentially allowing for more equitable distribution among political parties.
Removal of Article 10
The proposed amendments also seek to eliminate Article 10, which was established during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen. This article currently restricts candidates who participate in party primaries from contesting elections in any other capacity. Specifically, it states:
- Candidates who participated in party primaries cannot run for elections in any other capacity.
- Registered party members who have contested in party primaries are prohibited from running for the same election in any other capacity.
- If a member has participated in party primaries for a party ticket, their candidacy must be voided by the Elections Commission if they apply to contest the election in another capacity.
The removal of Article 10 is expected to provide greater flexibility for candidates, allowing them to pursue different roles within the electoral process. This change could encourage broader participation in the political arena, offering more opportunities for individuals to engage in governance.
