The Democrats Accuse MDP of Improperly Accessing Citizens’ Data for Election Campaign
Photo: twitter via @Simwarr
The Democrats have made serious allegations against the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), accusing them of obtaining citizens’ personal data from various state entities to support President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s re-election campaign.
ދައުލަތުގެ މުވައްސަސާތަކުގައި ހުރި ރައްޔިތުންގެ ވަނަވަރާއި، ޒާތީ މަޢުލޫމާތާއި، ޑޭޓާ ވެރިކަންކުރާ ޕާޓީއިން ވަގަށް ނަގާ، އެބޭނުންކޮށްގެން ކެމްޕޭނު ސޮފްޓްވެޔާރއެއް ތައްޔާރުކޮށްފައިވުމާ ގުޅޭގޮތުން ނެރޭ ނޫސްބަޔާން
6/9/2023#IlliAmr2023 #WeTheDemocrats pic.twitter.com/dyS4IhJ1GC— The Democrats (@TheDemocratsMV) September 6, 2023advertisement
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In a strongly-worded statement, The Democrats have asserted that the MDP, in their pursuit of electoral advantage, has gained access to names, personal information, and data of individuals within state institutions.
This information, they claim, has been employed in the development of campaign software referred to as “Vote Viuga” (translated as “Vote Network”). The party maintains that this software incorporates personal data of citizens sourced from multiple databases, including those of the Department of National Registration, the Election Commission’s party register, National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), Aasandha, and other similar agencies.
Furthermore, The Democrats contend that the software goes beyond merely listing individuals; it reportedly includes information about citizens’ spouses, children, parents, and siblings. Additionally, it is alleged to display additional details such as workplace information, contact numbers, and political party affiliations.
The Democrats underscored the uniqueness of this information, stating, “This is information that can only be found in the DNR database and has not been made public in any form before.”
Highlighting the custodianship of these databases, which falls under the purview of the Technology Ministry, the Chief Technology Officer, and the National Center for Information Technology, The Democrats have suggested that the data leak occurred due to the involvement and possible negligence of one or more of these entities.
In response to these allegations, The Democrats have called upon independent institutions and investigative agencies to conduct a thorough inquiry into the alleged leak of citizens’ personal information to the MDP. They have also urged swift action against those found responsible.
These allegations have sparked significant concern among the public and have raised questions about the protection of citizens’ data in the context of political campaigns.
