Parliament approves appointment of Shakeel to Elections Commission
The People's Majlis today approved the appointment of Mohamed Shakeel, the Managing Director of Hajj Corporation, to the Elections Commission with a majority of 51 votes. Shakeel was nominated to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of the commission's former president, Fuad Thaufeeq. An experienced official, Shakeel has previously served as both a member and the Director General of the Elections Commission.
The Parliament has granted its approval to appoint Mohamed Shakeel, the current Managing Director of the Maldives Hajj Corporation, as a member of the Elections Commission. | Maldives Hajj Coporation
The People's Majlis has granted its approval to appoint Mohamed Shakeel, the current Managing Director of the Maldives Hajj Corporation, to the vacant seat on the Elections Commission (EC).
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu submitted Abdul Haseeb Ismail’s name for appointment to the Elections Commission (EC), after which the matter was reviewed by the Parliamentary Committee on Independent Institutions. Following an interview conducted on Monday, the committee reached a unanimous decision to endorse his appointment.
The committee's report was presented during Tuesday's parliamentary session, where a vote was held to determine whether to grant him parliamentary approval. The Parliament passed the motion to appoint Shakeel as a member of the Elections Commission with a majority of 51 members voting in favor. Seven members voted against the appointment.
Mohamed Shakeel has previously served in various capacities at the Elections Commission. His prior experience includes tenures as both a member of the Commission and as its Director General.
A vacancy has opened at the Elections Commission following the resignation of its President, Mohamed Zahid, on May 1st. In addition to stepping down as the commission's head, Zahid has also resigned from his position as a member of the commission.
Zahid, who previously served as a member of the Elections Commission (EC), was appointed as its President on January 26, 2025. He was the first head of an independent institution to be appointed by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu following legislative amendments passed by the 20th People’s Majlis, which granted the President the authority to appoint chairs to such bodies. However, he resigned from the post shortly after the announcement of the results for the constitutional referendum and the local council elections.
The committee's decision to approve Shakeel's appointment will now be forwarded to the parliamentary floor. If the appointment is passed following a floor vote, the President will then officially appoint him to the position.
