Ihsan denies filling new voters' fake PNC forms
MDP Deputy Chairman Ibrahim Waheed accused Ihsan on social media platform X of orchestrating the registration of minors turning 18 this year.
Home Minister Ali Ihsan on Tuesday denied allegations that his ministry used data from the Department of National Registration (DNR) to register children turning 18 this year as members of the ruling Progressive National Congress (PNC).
The forms in question are alleged to have been prepared under the supervision of the home ministry for submission to the Elections Commission (EC) once the individuals reach voting age.
The PNC has been actively campaigning to increase its membership, aiming to reach 75,000 members within a year of the government's tenure. Allegations of individuals being fraudulently registered as members of the PNC have surfaced on social media over the past two weeks.
Among the cases highlighted are those of Vikaradhoo MDP MP Hussain Ziyad and former Heritage Ministry State Minister and Manadhoo MP Mohamed Thoriq.
MDP Deputy Chairman Ibrahim Waheed accused Ihsan on social media platform X of orchestrating the registration of minors turning 18.
Responding to the allegations, Ihsan stated that such claims were baseless.
“I have not even considered such actions,” he posted.
He urged critics to refrain from making false accusations and instead focus on policy discussions.
Social media posts also allege that forms showing the signature of Ahmed Aaly, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs responsible for the DNR, serve as evidence of fraudulent registrations. Both Aaly and Ihsan have denied these claims, stating that the signatures were fabricated.
Aaly clarified that he has not signed any PNC membership forms and that the photos of forms circulating online appear to be falsified. Regarding allegations of sharing personal information through the DNR, Ihsan reiterated that no data or copies of identification cards were provided to the PNC or any other entity.
The PNC has been accused of registering individuals without their consent as part of its membership drive. In response, the party issued a statement on Tuesday stating it was investigating the matter internally. The PNC also emphasised the role of the Elections Commission in verifying the validity of party membership forms.
