Forty candidates still to file parliament election financials, EC says
Three candidates who contested the by-election in Guraidhoo constituency were fined last year for failing to submit financial statements.
By
Aishath Maha
As many as 40 candidates who contested the recent parliamentary elections failed to file their financial statements, the Election Commission (EC) said on Monday.
EC Member Hassan Zakariya told Atoll Times on Monday that the 40 people do not include any candidates currently elected to parliament.
A total of 328 people, including the elected members, have submitted financial statements, Hassan said.
“The list will be made public when the commission decides on the action to be taken against candidates who did not submit financial statements,” he said.
Every candidate running in elections is required by law to file a financial statement.
Under Section 43 of the Parliamentary Election Rules, all transactions relating to election-related financial matters of every candidate contesting parliamentary elections, must be submitted to the EC within a maximum of 21 days from the date of the election.
Financial statements should include:
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Details of expenses incurred by the candidate in connection with the election, including money and assets/property
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Details of expenses incurred to secure support for the candidate
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Details of how money was raised to spend on the election
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Details of the persons who donated money and materials for expenditure or use in connection with the election and the amount donated by them
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Bank account statement showing all transactions made from the bank account
Three candidates who contested the by-election in Guraidhoo constituency were fined last year for failing to submit financial statements. They include Ibrahim Shaz, who won the seat that time. Each candidate was fined MVR 6,000.
