MDP Urges Police to Investigate PNC Membership Forms Signed by Villimalé MP

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has urged the authorities to examine all membership forms from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) that were signed by Villimalé MP Mohamed Ismail as a witness. The MDP alleges that the forms were filled out using stolen identity information.

At a press conference on Sunday, MDP legal director Mahfooz Saeed demanded a review of all forms signed by Ismail. “We call for an investigation into Mohamed Ismail, the MP for Villimalé. Every form he signed as a witness must be scrutinised,” Mahfooz said.

Ismail denied wrongdoing, saying he acted as a witness for administrative processes. The MDP, however, says his actions violate Section 49 of the Political Parties Act, which imposes fines of between MVR 5,000 to MVR 10,000 for each instance of illegally registering a person as a member of a political party.

“Most of those whose forms were filled out were in the islands. Where were the witnesses at the time? Mohamed Ismail cannot be present on all the islands when the forms are signed. While he admits to having signed as a witness on all these forms and claims this is generally how it is done, such a practice is considered a criminal offence,” Saeed said.

“The Prosecutor General’s Office must expedite an investigation into the theft of personal information and the submission of fraudulent forms,” he added.

The controversy intensified on Wednesday after photographs leaked on social media showed Home Minister Ali Ihusaan with Home Ministry and Department of National Registration (DNR) staff, allegedly filling out PNC membership forms. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ahmed Ali, who is in charge of the DNR, was also seen in the leaked images.

The MDP has demanded Ihusaan’s suspension while police and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigate the matter. The party has also filed a no-confidence motion against Ihusaan, accusing him of orchestrating the submission of fraudulent membership forms to the Elections Commission (EC).

Ihusaan has denied the claims, saying that the leaked photographs were taken at the Velana building, not the Home Ministry. “I was there on a day when political appointees were working, and it was not during office hours,” he said.

The MDP has also written to the EC, asking it to halt the processing of the submitted forms, cancel any forms already processed, and ensure their validity.