Mariyam Waheedha has since been elected as the president of the Maldives Broadcasting Commission, while Ahmed Gais was elected VP.

Their letters of appointment were handed at a ceremony held at the President’s Office on Thursday morning.

In addition to Mariyam and Gais, Ali Yoosuf was appointed to the broadcasting commission on Thursday.

Mariyam earned her Master's Degree in Developmental Studies at the University of East Anglia, the United Kingdom and had previously served as a board member at Public Service Media (PSM), while Ali completed postgraduate studies in journalism at the Asian College of Journalism, India and is a seasoned journalist. He last held the post of News Director at privately run, Raajje Television. Ahmed Gais has Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK, and previously served as a Councillor at South Huvadhoo Atoll Council.

While the broadcasting commission comprises of seven members, with the addition of Mariyam, Ali and Gais, it now has six.

Three members of the commission resigned this year including its president, while Vice President Fatmath Zaina was removed through parliament.

While an additional member is to be appointed to the commission for the vacancy left behind by Zaina, parliament’s committee on independent institutions did not approve any of the three candidates contesting. Instead, it requested to open applications for the position a second time and this was approved with 66 votes.