Yameen says PNF won't rely on state funding

Former President Abdulla Yameen has said the People's National Front (PNF) has no intention of relying on state funding, while criticising the Elections Commission (EC) and the government.

Speaking at a PNF gathering on Thursday night, Yameen said the party has operated without financial support from the state and has instead relied on contributions from supporters.

"Without receiving even a single coin from the state budget, PNF has become the primary entity holding this government accountable," Yameen said.

Under the Political Parties Act, state funding is available only to political parties with at least 10,000 registered members.

According to figures published on the Elections Commission's website, PNF had 3,137 registered members at the end of last month.

Responding to criticism over the party's membership, Yameen compared PNF with the ruling People's National Congress (PNC), saying public opinion of the governing party had been reflected during last April's vote despite its reported membership of about 68,000.

Yameen also alleged that membership information submitted during PNF's registration process had been leaked to the ruling party, claiming such information could only have been disclosed from within the Elections Commission.

"The Maldivian public knows that the Elections Commission is no longer an independent institution. It is by no means independent, nor does it hold the trust of the public. Our political party places zero trust in that institution," he said.

"To put it briefly, I want to state that we have absolutely no confidence in the Elections Commission."

Yameen further criticised the commission, describing it as ineffective and stating that repeated public criticism had not led to improvements in the institution.

The Elections Commission has not responded publicly to Yameen's allegations.