EC pres. warns against spreading "baseless" news, smearing commission

Elections Commission (EC)’s President, Ahmed Shareef has warned against spreading false information relating to a sexual abuse case against its now former deputy.

Ahmed Akram resigned as the vice president of the commission on Thursday, after the parliament’s independent institutions committee voted to dismiss him the previous day, following an inquiry into complaints Akram sexually harassed multiple female employees at the commission.

While the committee meeting was carried out behind closed doors, citing a member, “Mihaaru” news reported that one of Akram’s victims had attempted suicide.

Responding to this, the EC president cautioned against spreading “baseless” claims to defame the commission. He also questioned why the “Mihaaru” source failed to share on how the commission has reformed its regulations.

Shareef also said that the commission established a sexual harassment committee in 2014, and that this committee has been investigating any complaints.

Akram denies the allegations against him, describing it as “a part of a conspiracy by specific individuals”.

In his resignation letter to the president, the EC former vice president said that he does not believe it appropriate to remain a member of an independent commission as he no longer has the confidence of the committee.

Akram was appointed for a second term at EC on March 18, with the vote of 72 parliamentarians.