ACC to probe allegation fewer nominations processed for MMC election

A complaint has been filed with Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over allegations Ministry of Home Affairs processed and sent fewer that the required number of nominations for Maldives Media Council (MMC) election.

President of ACC, Hassan Luthfy spoke to “Sun” this Thursday and said the issue first came to their attention via social media. And that an official complaint was filed later.

Luthfy said that “ACC will look into any case a complaint has been filed over.”

Maldives Media Council – founded by State to regulate print media – has 15 members; eight from media agencies and seven from the general public.

Ministry of Home Affairs opened application to the general public to compete in the MCC election to its fourth term. And sent 12 names it nominated for the election after processing the applications.

However, MMC law states that the State needs to send 14 nominations to elect its seven general members.

The law dictates that the 15 members are elected through the vote of registered media agencies.

13 members will be elected during the upcoming election as two of the existing members have yet to complete their term.

Deputy Director-General of Ministry of Home Affairs, Mohamed Waheed Ali reported to “Sun” this Thursday that it sent 12 nominations because MMC would need to elect six members from the category this time.

However, the law on MMC states that those elected from the general public need to be “seven out of the 14 nominations by ministry after a public announcement who secure the most votes.”