Rifath appointed as a member of EC

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has appointed Rifath Abdulla, the former legal head of the Elections Commission (EC), as a member of the commission.

Rifath was appointed to his new role in a ceremony on Monday at the President’s Office.

His oath was administered by Supreme Court Justice Mohamed Saleem, after which President Muizzu formally presented him with his letter of appointment.

Rifath secured the backing of the Parliament for appointment to the EC on Tuesday with a unanimous vote of 58.

He replaces Dr. Mohamed Zahir, whose term at the EC expired on Saturday. While Zahir had applied a second term at the commission, President Muizzu had nominated Rifath over him, and the Parliament, in which the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) holds a supermajority, voted in accordance with his preference.

Rifath had previously worked at the EC as the head of its legal department. However, it is unclear for how long.

His appointment to the EC comes as the commission prepares to hold the Local Council Elections and the Women’s Development Committee Elections on April 4, as well as a referendum to decide on holding future Presidential Elections and Parliamentary Elections concurrently.