The President's Office announced today that 205 political appointees have been dismissed over the past four months, though the administration continues to withhold the total number of political staff currently on the payroll.
Speaking to journalists at the state broadcaster Public Service Media (PSM), the President's Office Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu), claimed that the 205 employees were removed following a comprehensive annual evaluation process.
"Through that process [of evaluating political staff], as we sit here, 205 employees have been cut. So far. This has been over the last three or four months. Through that work, yes, 205 employees have been reduced or removed," Shareef said.
Shareef noted that those dismissed included State Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Senior Political Directors, and Political Directors. He added that the evaluation of political staff is an ongoing process.
The spokesperson further stated that the number of staff dismissed through these evaluations would continue to be disclosed in the coming days. However, he did not reveal the total number of political appointees during the briefing.
On July 5, the Information Commissioner’s (ICOM) Office ordered the President's Office to disclose, within 14 days, the total number of political staff appointed since the administration took office, the number of dismissals and resignations, and the total expenditure on their salaries and allowances.
Despite the expiration of that 14-day deadline, the President's Office has yet to reveal the total figure. Instead of providing the overall headcount, the government has shifted to announcing the number of individuals being terminated.
While dismissals are being reported, observers note that the government continues to appoint a significant number of individuals to various political positions.
The administration has faced mounting criticism from the opposition and the public for its reluctance to disclose the total number of political appointees. Various government ministries have previously stated that only the President's Office is authorized to release these figures.
Prior to taking office and during the transitional period, the administration repeatedly pledged that the number of political appointees would not exceed 700.
However, Shareef has previously defended the administration's position, asserting that limiting the number of political staff to 700 was not an official presidential campaign pledge.
