Only Four Political Parties Qualify for State Funding in Maldives

The Election Commission of Maldives (ECM) has announced that only four political parties meet the eligibility criteria for state funding in the upcoming year. The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the Jumhoory Party (JP), and the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) have all surpassed the mandatory membership threshold of 10,000 members as of 25 November, the date of budget approval. Notably, the Adhaalath Party (AP), which received funding this year, will no longer be eligible due to falling short of the required membership. The Political Parties Act mandates that 0.01 percent of the state budget be allocated to parties meeting the 10,000-member minimum. This marks a decrease from the previous year, when five parties qualified. The PNC, with the largest membership, received the highest share of funding.