President proposes State Minister Azeez for Information Commissioner post

The name of the country’s first Information Commissioner, Abdul Azeez Jamal Abubakr (Azee), has been submitted to Parliament for approval.

Azee is currently serving as a State Minister at the Ministry of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage.

The term of the incumbent Information Commissioner, Ahmed Ahid Rasheed, expires on September 6. Applications for the post were open from August 3 to 16.

Among the candidates who applied during that period, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has proposed Azee’s name for the position.

According to the letter read out by Secretary General Fathimath Niusha, the President has submitted additional names as well. However, the letter has not yet been released publicly, and it is not known who the other nominees are.

Azee, who previously served as the MP for Maavah constituency in the 17th Parliament, was first appointed Information Commissioner on July 22, 2014. He has also served as a State Minister at the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and is known for his work in Dhivehi language studies.

The term of office for the Information Commissioner is five years.