Three nominees up for Information Commissioner, forwarded to Majlis

Parliament’s Committee on Independent Institutions is to forward three nominees up for the post of Information Commissioner, to the People’s Majlis.

While four individuals who had applied for the post had initially been interviewed, the committee approved three names; Hussain Fiyaz Moosa, Ahmed Fayaz and Ahmed Aahid Rasheed.

All members at the interview sessions had voted to pass Fiyaz while Fayaz received nine votes out of 10 members present and Aahid received 10 votes out of the 11 present.

The fourth applicant, Saushan received five votes out of the nine members present.

All applicants were given the chance to present referrals and speak at the interview sessions. They were also given a test paper about the Maldives Constitution.

Fiyaz scored 14 out of 15 in the test paper while Fayaz followed behind with 12 and Saushan and Aahid fell short with just 11 correct answers.

According to the Maldives constitution, parliament is required to announce the names at the earliest sitting after they receive the nominations. Following this, the names will be forwarded to the relevant committee for investigations.

The post was vacated in July, following the expiration of the term of the last Information Commissioner Abdul Azeez Jamal Aboobakuru who was appointed on 22 June 2014.

While the post has been vacant for three months now, according to article 45 of the Right to Information Act, those applying for the post must be over 35 years of age, must not be convicted for an offense punishable under Islamic Shari’ah or found guilty of an offense or fraud as per Shari’ah.

They must also have a first degree and possess at least seven years of work experience, must not be employed in any other employment other than the post saved as Information Commissioner, must not be a member of a political party nor engaged in the activities of a political party and must not be a person appointed to hold a political position under the constitution.