The People’s Majlis, with a supermajority of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), has granted its approval to appoint Mohamed Shakeel, the party’s former Registrar, to the Elections Commission (EC).
During today’s parliamentary sitting, 51 MPs voted in favour of Shakeel’s appointment, while seven MPs voted against it.
Until today, Shakeel served as the Managing Director of the Maldives Hajj Corporation. To facilitate his move to the EC, he has resigned from both his executive position and his seat on the Hajj Corporation’s board.
Shakeel has previously served as a member of the Elections Commission from December 2014 to May 2018, during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen. Prior to that tenure, he held the position of Director General at the commission.
The Elections Commission is the independent statutory body mandated to conduct free and fair elections in the Maldives. Shakeel, the newly appointed commissioner, is known for frequently posting content on social media praising President Mohamed Muizzu.
During his tenure as Managing Director of the Hajj Corporation, the institution faced allegations of corruption. Adhadhu has previously reported that the corporation facilitated Hajj opportunities for individuals lower on the waiting list in exchange for additional payments.
The vacancy on the commission arose following the resignation of its former President, Mohamed Zahid. He stepped down on May 1, citing excessive government interference in the commission’s affairs.
