The government has opened applications for the vacancy of the Information Commissioner’s post.

This comes after the resignation of Hussain Fiyaz Moosa as Information Commissioner, on Sunday.

In a publication on Monday, the President’s Office revealed that they will be accepting completed application forms between 9:30am and 01:30pm on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Interested and eligible parties may obtain the application forms through the front desk of the President’s Office. Forms are also available for download through their official website.

Sources report that Fiyaz resigned from his post to run an online news outlet, which he is yet to confirm as credible information. Fiyaz is yet to comment on the circumstances surrounding his resignation.

Fiyaz was appointed Information Commissioner on 31 October 2019.

Under Article 49 of the RTI Act, the Information Commissioner may resign from the post by submitting a written resignation to the president.

The Information Commissioner’s was established on 13 July 2014 in accordance with Article 43 (a) of the RTI Act which mandates the Information Commissioner to enforce the RTI Act.

The Information Commissioner’s Office is established to uphold the right of the public interest of acquiring and dissemination of the information, in addition to encouraging the enforcement of open governance among the state institutions. Apart from this, the Information Commissioner's Office also enforces the Right to Information Act and administers the regulations that come under the RTI Act.

Prior to his resignation, Hussain Fiyaz Moosa had, in his capacity as Information Commissioner, appealed to the public in January to familiarize themselves with the rights afforded to them under the RTI Act, and said it would be a key tool in holding government institutions accountable and ensuring transparency in the use of public funds.