Parliament has approved the appointment of Mohamed Shakeel, Managing Director of Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited, to the vacant seat on the Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM).
The appointment was endorsed following a review by Parliament's Committee on Independent Institutions, which evaluated the nomination submitted by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and recommended that Shakeel be approved for the post.
The vacancy arose following the resignation of Mohamed Zahid, who stepped down as both a member and President of the Commission.
After inviting applications for the position, the President forwarded Shakeel's name to Parliament for consideration.
Shakeel previously served as a member of the Elections Commission from 3 December 2014 to 9 May 2018. Prior to that, he served as Director General of the Commission from 1 September 2013 to 3 December 2014.
During his interview with the Committee on Independent Institutions, Shakeel reiterated his commitment to serving independently. Reflecting on his previous resignation from the Commission, he said he had stepped down because he believed the environment at the time did not allow him to perform his duties independently.
He also assured members that, if appointed, he would work to ensure all political parties are provided with opportunities to raise concerns and engage in constructive dialogue with the Commission.
With Parliament's approval, the Elections Commission will return to its full complement of five members.
The current members of the Commission are Vice President Abdul Rahman Salah Rasheed, Hassan Zakariyya, Abdul Haseeb Ismail, Rif'ath Abdulla.
The position of President of the Elections Commission remains vacant.
Under the law, once the Commission is fully constituted, the President of the Maldives may appoint a President of the Elections Commission from among its members, subject to parliamentary approval.