Campaigning Permissible During Official Trips Without State Expenses, Says ACC

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has clarified that candidates vying in the presidential election are permitted to engage in informal political activities whilst on official trips, without incurring state expenses.

ACC released a guideline aimed at curbing corruption during election periods. This directive explicitly prohibits candidates and political parties from utilising state resources for their campaign efforts.

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Nonetheless, the ACC stipulates that if a candidate undertakes an official trip funded by the state budget during the election period, they are not prohibited from participating in political activities. In this scenario, any associated political expenditure must be covered by campaign funds.

“During unofficial hours of an official trip designated for legitimate purposes, it is acceptable to partake in political activities that will not impact the cost of the trip,” stated the ACC.

Upon the announcement of the election by the Election Commission of Maldives (ECM), the ACC has called upon state entities and government-owned enterprises to refrain from substantial recruitment of personnel, unless under exceptional circumstances. 

Furthermore, these entities are expected to avoid allocating work hours, resources, and materials for campaign-related activities.

The outlined guidelines draw upon diverse practices adopted in various countries to counter corruption during elections, ensuring alignment with international norms. Concurrently, the document elucidates the provisions embedded within Maldives’ election laws.

In an appeal directed towards candidates and campaign supporters alike, the ACC emphasised the necessity of adhering to these guidelines. The prevalence of allegations asserting the exploitation of state resources for electoral campaigning has been a recurring issue during every election. 

However, the absence of a legal framework to evaluate such instances poses a notable challenge in the Maldives.