ECM Warns Political Parties Against Misinformation Following PNF Membership Complaint

The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) has urged political parties and other stakeholders to refrain from spreading misinformation that could undermine public confidence in the electoral body, following a complaint by the People’s National Front (PNF) over alleged irregularities in political party membership records.

In a statement released yesterday, the Commission called on all stakeholders to conduct their political activities responsibly and avoid disseminating information that could affect public confidence in the ECM and the integrity of the political party membership system.

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The statement comes after the PNF filed a complaint with the Maldives Police Service on Thursday, requesting a criminal investigation into ECM President Mohamed Shakeel over allegations concerning the removal and registration of party members.

Speaking outside Henveiru Police Station before filing the complaint, PNF Deputy President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed claimed the party had found evidence indicating that members were being removed from its membership registry through the ECM in violation of established procedures.

Jameel also alleged that individuals were being registered with other political parties while remaining PNF members were removed without their consent or authorisation.

The ECM, however, said its current political party membership system was designed to address longstanding complaints regarding fraudulent registrations and removals.

https://t.co/w3l3UUc2Ij pic.twitter.com/X90lf2FtEO— Elections Commission (@ElectionsMv) September 18, 2026

According to the Commission, the eFaas digital identity system has been integrated into the membership process, allowing citizens to independently join or leave political parties through their personal eFaas accounts.

The Commission said membership registration and resignation constitute a direct transaction between an individual and the respective political party, describing it as a personal decision made without the involvement of a third party.

The ECM further stated that, under the current system, it is technically impossible for the Commission or any other entity to remove an individual from a party’s membership registry or transfer them to another party’s registry without the individual’s knowledge.

The Commission’s statement comes amid renewed scrutiny of political party membership records, following previous complaints over fraudulent registrations and removals. The ECM has since shifted political party membership transactions to the eFaas-based system.