The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has closed a case involving former State Minister of the Ministry of Heritage, Mohamed Thoriq, due to insufficient evidence for criminal charges. The case centered on an inauthentic membership form submitted to the Elections Commission of Maldives by the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) in Thoriq’s name.According to the police investigation, the form was found to be fake, and the fingerprint on it did not match Thoriq’s or any other fingerprints in the police database.
The PNC was fined MVR 5,000 for submitting the fraudulent form, but the police concluded there was not enough evidence to pursue criminal prosecution.The case has stirred controversy after photos surfaced on social media showing PNC membership forms being filled out in a meeting room at the Department of National Registration (DNR), which operates under the Home Ministry.
The leaked images revealed that old ID card photos, originally submitted for national ID cards, were being used to complete the forms. The photos also showed Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, alongside other Home Ministry officials and the Deputy Minister overseeing DNR.The incident has led to widespread criticism of Minister Ihusaan, with many calling for his resignation. The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) even moved a no-confidence motion against him in the People’s Majlis, accusing him of misusing DNR data and obstructing police investigations.
In response, during the eighth sitting of the first session of the 20th People’s Majlis on February 25, 2025, Ihusaan defended his actions. He explained that PNC leaders had asked all ministers to boost party membership, assigning him to collect at least 500 forms. He delegated this task to 50 political staff at the Home Ministry, each instructed to gather 10 to 15 forms.
Ihusaan admitted that the forms were filled out in a DNR meeting room in the evening, with witness sections left blank initially. Political staff later added fingerprints and signatures as witnesses, even though the individuals named on the forms were not present.The controversy has raised serious concerns about the misuse of DNR’s data system and the integrity of the PNC’s membership recruitment process.Despite the police closing the case, the public outcry and calls for accountability continue to grow, putting pressure on Minister Ihusaan and the Muizzu administration to address these allegations transparently.
