The President of the Elections Commission (EC), Mohamed Zahid, resigned today, due to increasing government influence over the commission.
Adhadhu has confirmed Zahid’s resignation from the commission. A source told Adhadhu that Zahid’s departure comes at a time when the government has been exerting significant pressure on the independent body.
"Zahid did not wish to continue serving on the commission while facing such immense pressure from the government," said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to their employment.
Adhadhu contacted Zahid for a comment, but he did not answer his phone at the time of publication.
Adhadhu understands that the biggest pressure currently being exerted by the government involves taking action against opposition political parties. The Muizzu administration also ramped up pressure following its defeat in the recent local council elections and the referendum.
Meanwhile, Zahid had a secret meeting with President Mohamed Muizzu in December 2025. Before that, the commission issued a statement condemning protests by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
Under an amendment brought to the law by the current administration, the President of the Elections Commission must submit their resignation letter directly to the President.
Additionally, this administration has restructured the law so that the President and Vice President of the Elections Commission are directly appointed by the President. However, parliamentary approval must be sought after the appointment of the Commission’s Chiefs.
Previously, the law mandated that the President and Vice President of the Elections Commission be elected through a vote taken among the commission's members.
