News Desk
The People’s National Front, led by former president Abdulla Yameen, has been fined by the Election Commission for repeatedly violating the Political Parties Act. The decision was communicated to Yameen in a letter sent yesterday, in which the commission said the party had ignored multiple warnings and refused to meet officials despite repeated requests.
According to the EC, the PNF has continued activities that fall outside the legal boundaries set for political parties. The commission said the violations fall under Section 45 of the Political Parties Act and imposed a fine of MVR 100,000.
The EC also warned that further action would be taken against any individual or group that continues to breach the law. It reminded parties that political activities must remain within the limits of the Political Parties Act, the Political Parties Regulation, the Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Act and other relevant rules in force in the Maldives.
The fine comes weeks after the Maldives Media Council instructed Channel 13 to stop broadcasting PNF‑linked protests live. Demonstrations have been held nightly in parts of Malé, with loudspeakers, PNF flags and coordinated messaging circulated through the party’s media groups. Equipment used for the gatherings has also been seen moving in and out of the PNF office.
Despite the visible organisation, the party maintains that it is not behind the protests and says the demonstrations are being carried out independently by supporters.
