President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has nominated former Elections Commission member Mohamed Shakeel for appointment to the country’s electoral watchdog, following the resignation of former Elections Commission Chairperson Mohamed Zahid.
The nomination was formally submitted to Parliament and announced during Monday’s sitting of the People’s Majlis, where the President’s letter seeking approval for Shakeel’s appointment was read before lawmakers.
The vacancy emerged after Zahid stepped down from the Elections Commission despite having more than three years remaining in his term. No public explanation has been provided regarding his decision to resign.
As required under the appointment process, the President submitted the names of all eligible applicants who sought the position. However, Shakeel was the only candidate nominated for appointment to the commission.
Shakeel is no stranger to the Elections Commission, having previously served as a commissioner between December 2014 and May 2018. During his time at the institution, he also held the position of Director General, giving him extensive experience in the administration of elections and electoral affairs.
He currently serves as the Managing Director of Maldives Hajj Corporation, a state-owned enterprise responsible for organizing and facilitating Hajj services for Maldivian pilgrims.
The nomination has now been referred to Parliament’s Independent Institutions Committee, which is tasked with reviewing and vetting candidates before forwarding its recommendation to the full Majlis for a final decision.
The Elections Commission is one of the Maldives’ key independent institutions and is responsible for overseeing presidential, parliamentary and local council elections, as well as maintaining the country’s voter registry and regulating political party activities.
Established under the Constitution, the commission consists of five members appointed through a parliamentary approval process. Its role has become increasingly important as the country prepares for future electoral events, including upcoming local and national elections.
If approved by Parliament, Shakeel will return to the commission after an absence of more than seven years, bringing with him prior experience in electoral management and public administration.
The committee is expected to conduct its review in the coming weeks before the nomination is presented to lawmakers for consideration and approval.
