Aminath Namza, Chairperson of Public Service Media (PSM), has lost her eligibility to serve on the state broadcaster's Board of Directors following her election to the Senate of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC).
During the PNC Congress yesterday, Namza secured one of the 10 Senate seats reserved for women.
The Public Service Media Act stipulates three mandatory qualifications for members of the company’s Board of Directors. Among these requirements is the condition that a board member must not hold any position within a political party.
As a seat on the PNC Senate constitutes a political party position, Namza no longer meets the legal criteria required to remain on the PSM board.
Adhadhu reached out to the Privatisation and Corporatisation Board (PCB), the regulatory body for state-owned enterprises, for comment on the matter. However, PCB President Mohamed Nizar did not respond to phone calls.
The eligibility criteria for the PSM Board of Directors
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must not hold a position or be employed by a political party.
- Must not have been convicted of fraud, corruption, assault, or theft within the last five years, unless the sentence was completed or a pardon was granted more than five years ago.
Efforts were also made to obtain a statement from Namza regarding the situation. She did not answer her phone, and although questions were sent via message requesting her comments, she has yet to respond.
Namza served as a presenter at Television Maldives (TVM) for many years. She has also held various government positions during the administrations of former Presidents Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Abdulla Yameen.
Under the current administration, Namza was first appointed as a Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Gender. She was later transferred to the Ministry of Local Government. Her current official designation remains unclear following the restructuring of that ministry.
