Former Maldives Hajj Corporation Managing Director Mohamed Shakeel was officially appointed as a member of the Elections Commission on Monday, filling the vacancy left by the recent resignation of former commission president Mohamed Zahid.
The appointment was made by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during a ceremony held at the President’s Office, according to a statement released by the presidency.
During the ceremony, Shakeel took his oath of office and signed the official declaration before receiving his letter of appointment from the President.
The oath was administered by Supreme Court Judge Mohamed Saleem.
Shakeel’s appointment comes just a day after Parliament approved his nomination to the independent electoral body. President Muizzu had forwarded his name to the People’s Majlis as his preferred candidate from among the applicants who sought to fill the vacant post.
The seat became vacant following the resignation of Mohamed Zahid last month. Zahid stepped down from the Elections Commission despite having more than three years remaining in his term.
Shakeel is returning to an institution he knows well. He previously served as a member of the Elections Commission from December 2014 to May 2018 and, before that, held the position of Director General of the commission between September 2013 and December 2014.
His prior experience in election administration was a key part of the discussion surrounding his nomination, particularly as the commission continues to oversee political party matters, electoral processes and preparations for future national polls.
The Elections Commission is one of the country’s key independent institutions, responsible for conducting elections and referendums, as well as regulating political parties.
Shakeel’s appointment also follows his resignation from Maldives Hajj Corporation, where he had been serving as Managing Director and board member. The Privatization and Corporatization Board confirmed earlier that his resignation had been accepted after Parliament approved his move to the Elections Commission.
With Shakeel now formally sworn in, the Elections Commission returns to its full complement of members at a time when attention is increasingly turning toward upcoming electoral and political processes in the country.
