EC fines three political parties MVR 50,000 each for failing to submit audit reports

The Elections Commission (EC) has fined three political parties for failing to submit their annual audit reports within the legally required deadline.

EC member Hassan Zakariyya told Sun that the opposition MDP was fined for submitting its audit report late, while Adhaalath Party and the Maldives National Party (MNP) were fined for failing to submit the report at all.

Political parties were required to submit their audit reports for this year by May 20. During this period, the ruling PNC, the Jumhoory Party (JP), the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) and the People’s National Front (PNF) submitted their reports.

Hassan said the MDP submitted its audit report on June 4, well past the deadline, and noted that the party has not submitted its financial report for last year either.

“Once the deadline passes, we instruct parties to submit. If they fail to submit at all, then we meet with the party and discuss the matter,” he said.

All three parties were fined MVR 50,000.

Under the Political Parties Act, each party must maintain detailed accounts of its income and expenditure. The Auditor General must audit these accounts annually through a person recognised by the Auditor General, and the audit report must be submitted to the Elections Commission.

Parties are required to submit their audited accounts within three months, or 90 days, after the end of each calendar year. The law gives the Elections Commission the authority to fine political parties between MVR 20,000 and MVR 200,000 for failing to submit their audit reports as required.