Transparency MV Condemns PNC for Alleged Misuse of State Resources in Election Campaign

Transparency Maldives has accused the main ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) of utilising state resources for campaigning ahead of the upcoming parliamentary election, prompting condemnation from the organisation.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Transparency Maldives criticised what it termed as the routine practice of making promises and pledges during election periods, suggesting that such actions could influence voters’ ability to freely choose their preferred candidate.

The organisation highlighted concerns over the continuous misuse of state resources, alleging that such actions undermine the democratic process by creating an uneven playing field in favour of the government.

Transparency Maldives called upon the government to cease the ongoing abuse of state resources and urged for legislative reforms aimed at enhancing accountability among public officials, thereby ensuring a fair electoral environment.

Additionally, the organisation expressed apprehension regarding the successive announcements of major development projects coinciding with the official campaign period, along with a notable rise in political appointees and the alleged utilisation of state-owned enterprises to garner political support.

In a bid to promote fairness in the electoral process, Transparency Maldives made several calls to action, including urging the government and elected officials to refrain from exploiting state resources for electoral purposes. They also called upon the Anti-Corruption Commission to actively enforce guidelines against such abuses and advocated for collaborative efforts among relevant authorities to strengthen the legal framework addressing loopholes in holding public officials accountable for such misconduct.

In a similar vein, the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has also voiced its concerns, urging the government to desist from misusing state resources for campaign purposes ahead of the parliamentary election.