Elections Commission of Maldives has revealed the amount owed to national airline, Maldivian, by ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) cannot be omitted from the funds released to the party from the state.
Speaking to PSM News, member and spokesperson of Elections Commission Ahmed Akram said Maldivian has requested to make the commission from the allowances as PPM owes USD 310,759 to the national airline. Maldivian revealed the amount is the payment of numerous campaign trips made by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in the run-up to the presidential election. However, the electoral body expressed the funds owed cannot be retrieved via the commission without a court order.
Akram added while regulations are followed when issuing funds to political parties, it is not a concern of the commission whether the party owes money to a company or an authority. Furthermore, he highlighted in the past, funds were suspended following court verdicts.
Speaking on the aforementioned issue, Spokesperson of PPM Ali Arif assured the party has always been consistent in making payments for transactions.