Elections Commission president Zahid resigns

Elections Commission (EC)'s president Mohamed Zahid has resigned from his post on Friday.

While Sun can confirm his resignation, the reason that prompted the decision is unknown at the moment. Efforts to obtain a comment from Zahid were unsuccessful as he did not respond to phone calls.

EC members are appointed by the president, subject to the approval of the parliament.

Zahid was appointed to EC in January last year and later the president of the Commission in February. His resignation comes with more than three years left on his term. 

EC's vice president Abdul Rahman Salah Rasheed told Sun that Zahid had informed him of the resignation. However, he said he was unaware of the reasons for this sudden departure.

The government's chief spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu), similarly confirmed the resignation but stated he was also unaware of the reason behind the decision. 

Notably, EC was recently the target of significant public criticism arising from serious allegations. 

Among these concerns are allegations of government influence regarding the Commission’s decision last Monday to extend the application deadline for the vacant Hithadhoo North constituency parliamentary seat. 

This development followed the decision by Mohamed Sinan (Sina), who previously held the seat and initial PNC candidate for the Hithadhoo North by-election scheduled for June 6, to withdraw from the race. Following his withdrawal, which was formally communicated to the EC, the PNC decided on Wednesday to grant the party ticket to Ahmed Saeed (Soda), the councillor for the Hithadhoo Moolekede constituency.

Critics, including Velidhoo MP Mohamed Abbas, have questioned whether the EC’s decision to extend the filing deadline was a direct result of political influence from the PNC.

EC has also recently come under fire for issuing directives to the People’s National Front (PNF)—led by former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom—and the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), advising them to conduct their political activities in accordance with social and ethical standards.