The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has revealed that candidates are allowed to spend a maximum of USD37 million each in the upcoming presidential election.
Vice President of ECM Ismail Habeeb said that the presidential candidates are allowed to spend USD130 per eligible voter, in accordance with the Elections General Act. A total of 282,395 are eligible to vote in the presidential election.
The Elections General Act stipulates that any candidate may obtain funds or property in accordance with the law for expenditure or use in relation to the presidential election. The maximum amount that a candidate can give to a legal entity to spend or use in the presidential election is USD713,000. In addition, the candidate’s election agent must keep records of the funds received and a candidate must not conceal or mislead regarding the identity of their donors.
Additionally, candidates must not accept donations from foreign individuals, agencies, governments, or organisations. They should also not accept donations from international organisations, or from individuals who do not wish to disclose their identity. They are also banned from accepting donations from state entities or state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Candidates will also be required to submit financial statements detailing the expenditure incurred and how the funds were received after the presidential election.