President nominates PNC’s Shakeel for EC membership

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has nominated Mohamed Shakeel, the managing director of Maldives Hajj Corporation and member of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC)’s senate, for appointment as a member of the Elections Commission (EC).

A seat at the EC got vacated after the commission’s chairperson Mohamed Zahid resigned from the role and left the commission in May.

The letter by President Muizzu asking for parliamentary approval to appoint Shakeel to the vacant seat was read during a sitting held on Monday morning.

The letter included the names of other eligible candidates who applied for the position. However, President Muizzu only nominated Shakeel.

Shakeel is not new to the EC, having served as a member of the commission back during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration.

He is an active member of the PNC, serving as a member of the party’s senate as well as the part’s elections committee.

Zahid’s resignation on May 1 came with more than three years left in his term.

He provided no explanation for the decision, which came in the wake of the PNC’s heavy defeat in the local council elections and referendum held on April 4.

Shakeel’s name has been sent to the Parliament’s Independent Institutions Committee for vetting.

His nomination for the role is expected to face little resistance, given PNC’s supermajority in the Parliament.