The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has extended the deadline for political parties to reach the number of members stipulated in the Political Parties Act.
Earlier, ECM announced its decision to nullify political parties that have fewer than 3,000 members by June 14. The ECM revealed that following numerous requests, the deadline has been extended until 2200hrs of June 14.
The Political Parties Act states that a political party can be formed after it has submitted 3,000 membership signatures to the ECM. However, the electoral body has notified four parties that have lost members since their formation and requested them to obtain 3,000 members by June 14.
The notices were sent to Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), Maldives Reform Movement (MRM), Maldives Labour and Social Democratic Party (MLSD), and Maldives Third-Way Democrats (MTD). DRP was one of the first political parties to be formed in the Maldives, and MRM is led by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
Out of these, MRM and MTD have submitted forms to reach the eligible membership number, while DRP and MLSD have not yet reached the minimum number of members required to function as a political party.
A total of 11 political parties are registered in the Maldives, but most have fewer than 10,000 members. Parties with 3,000 members are allowed to remain registered, while parties with 10,000 members receive funds from the state budget. As such, the Ministry of Finance has distributed state funds to four eligible political parties. The Political Parties Act states that 0.01% of the state budget should be distributed to registered political parties with 10,000 or more members. The ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), and government coalition partners Jumhooree Party (JP) and Adhaalath Party (AP) are the four parties eligible for state funds.