MDP filed more fake party forms than PNC, Ihsan says
he acknowledged that political activities within government institutions could affect public trust.
Home Minister Ali Ihsan said on Tuesday that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) submitted more fake membership forms than the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).
Ihsan made the statement while responding to a motion filed by the opposition MDP seeking his removal from office. The MDP has accused the Department of National Registration (DNR), which operates under Ihsan’s ministry, of misusing personal data to register individuals as PNC members without their knowledge.
In response, Ihsan stated that records from the Elections Commission (EC) indicate that a significant number of fake membership forms were submitted to the MDP during its previous administration.
“From 2018 to 2023, 520 people were registered as MDP members without their knowledge. Was I a minister then?” Ihsan said.
He added that when the MDP was in power, neither the home minister at the time nor DNR officials were summoned before Parliament regarding similar issues.
According to EC records, Ihsan stated that the PNC registered 40,000 members last year, of which 183 were added without their knowledge. During the same period, the MDP lost 9,000 members.
“Is that also my responsibility? I don’t think it is when something happens elsewhere,” Ihsan said.
He denied allegations that DNR data was being stolen and manipulated. However, he claimed that the MDP had used a software programme called ‘VoteView’ to obtain data from the DNR, the Elections Commission register, the National Security Programme (NSP), and Aasandha during its previous administration.
In March 2019, then-Technology Minister Mohamed Maleeh Jamal stated that the government was investigating allegations that data from the DNR was being misused and sold.
“If this had been prevented then, there would be no need to discuss it today,” Ihsan said.
He also referenced allegations that personal data in the Maldives has been accessed and sold in various ways since 2014.
The PNC has faced public criticism after reports emerged of party membership forms being filled inside the DNR office. Photographs circulating on social media show individuals filling out forms in a DNR meeting room, with Ihsan also present.
Ihsan stated that filling out membership forms inside a state agency is not a legal offence. However, he acknowledged that political activities within government institutions could affect public trust.
“Especially in an institution like the DNR, which relies on public confidence, such actions can undermine trust,” he said.
He stated that he has ordered agencies under his ministry to refrain from such activities, ensuring that similar incidents will not happen again. He also noted that political activities within government offices are not new and had taken place under the previous MDP administration. However, he reiterated that such practices would not be repeated under the current government.
