Committee restricts use of party symbols after dissolution
The measure comes as efforts to dissolve PPM are underway, with the party amending its charter to streamline this process.
Parliament’s entire committee on Tuesday approved a proposal to the Political Party Act to prevent newly formed parties from using the name, logo, or colours of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) partner, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), for a specified period after the dissolution of the party.
The proposed amendment was introduced by PNC MP Ashraf Rasheed during a committee session focused on studying a government-sponsored bill to the Political Parties Act. The measure comes as efforts to dissolve PPM are underway, with the party amending its charter to streamline this process.
The committee approved two amendments to the bill during its session:
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Restricting use of party identity after dissolution: The first amendment, introduced by MP Ashraf and supported by Henveiru North PNC MP Ahmed Aifan, proposes that a dissolved party’s name, emblem, seal, and colours cannot be adopted by another party until five years have passed since its dissolution. This amendment was approved unanimously by all 41 members present.
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Amending dissolution criteria based on conventions: The second amendment, supported by Baarah PNC MP Ibrahim Shujau, ensures that a party cannot be dissolved solely because it fails to hold a national convention every five years. This amendment also passed with a unanimous vote of 39 members.
The entire committee approved the bill to amend the Political Parties Act, with 40 members voting in favor and none opposing.
If these amendments are enacted, PPM can be dissolved under the new regulations, but its name, emblem, and colours would be protected from use by a new party until five years post-dissolution.
Additionally, the proposed amendments introduce updated fines for violations. A political party member found guilty of illegal activity would face fines of MVR 100,000. Currently, the Elections Commission imposes fines in two categories:
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Nomination violations: Fines between MVR 5,000 and MVR 10,000 for illegal nominations.
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General violations: Fines between MVR 30,000 and MVR 75,000 for breaches of other Act provisions.
The government’s amendments would add a separate fine for the member’s affiliated party, ranging between MVR 30,000 and MVR 100,000.
The bill also repeals a 2016 amendment, introduced during former President Abdulla Yameen’s administration, which granted the Elections Commission the authority to cancel candidacies of individuals who contested a party’s primary and subsequently ran for office independently. Under the repeal, Article 10 of the Act would no longer restrict a registered member of a political party from contesting in other capacities after participating in a party primary.
Although the Elections Commission has proposed changes to introduce funding criteria based on membership count and election results for smaller parties with at least 3,000 members, these adjustments were not included in the current bill.
