
MDP concerned over lack of witness questions in forged forms
The MDP alleges that individuals were admitted to the PNC without their knowledge using invalid or falsified forms.
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Legal team of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Wednesday expressed concerns regarding the police's handling of the investigation into alleged forged membership forms submitted to the People's National Congress (PNC).
The MDP alleges that individuals were admitted to the PNC without their knowledge using invalid or falsified forms.
The MDP filed complaints involving 96 individuals and sought updates on the progress of the investigation during a visit to the police headquarters on Wednesday.
MDP Legal Director Mahfooz Saeed, speaking to reporters after the meeting, stated that while some forms have undergone fingerprint analysis and some individuals have been questioned, the police have yet to question witnesses who signed the forms.
"We strongly urged the police to prioritise questioning the witnesses who signed these forms," Mahfooz said, noting that one of the signatories, Villimale MP Mohamed Ismail, a deputy leader of the PNC parliamentary group, had signed several forms as a witness.
MP Mohamed Ismail acknowledged signing forms as a witness and described the practice as routine. The MDP has called on the police to expedite the investigation, particularly in light of this public admission.
The controversy surfaced when reports emerged of MDP National Assembly members being listed as PNC members without their consent. The PNC had launched a campaign to expand its membership to 75,000, reportedly asking ministers and members of parliament to submit over 500 forms each.
Allegations intensified after photos surfaced on social media showing employees of the Department of National Registration (DNR) filling out membership forms for the PNC in a meeting room under the home ministry. This has led to calls for accountability from home minister Ali Ihsan.