Opposition Parties Condemn ID Card Rules

Two of the three main opposition parties, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the Adhaalath (Justice) party (AP), have condemned a new regulation by the Elections Commission which says every citizen must have new ID cards in order to be eligible to vote.

An Adhaalath party official speaking on behalf of Chairman, Mohamed Didi, told Minivan News: “The Party does not consider it constitutional and the party believes it is very harmful to the citizens.”

Adhaalath says it believes one of the reasons the government has introduced the regulation is to increase revenue for the budget through charging for the new cards. A new card costs Rf. 100, and an upgrade from the old ID card costs Rf. 30.

The AP also says it is concerned members of the government’s party – the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) – will get the new cards first. “They will definitely give a preference to the DRP,” said the official.

The biggest opposition party, the MDP, also says the move is unconstitutional. “New ID cards are not necessary according to the constitution but now the government is introducing the new rule,” said Dr. Ibrahim Didi, Shadow Home Affairs and Local Government Minister.

Both parties believe the move to be a ploy to limit the number of opposition voters. The government is well-known for its use of obscure regulations and technicalities to limit various political freedoms that contradict its interests.

Currently the constitution allows anyone over 21 to vote.

The Elections Commission refused to comment.

Likes(0)Dislikes(0)