Member of Parliamentary Committee on Independent Institutions Rozaina Adam has said that members of the committee have brought to question whether the member appointed by the parliament to the Board of Directors of Maldives Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Nahla Ali can remain in her post, after she decided to contest in the election for Council Member of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

Rozaina said that Nahla’s interest in becoming a council member of a political party raises questions about her impartiality when it comes to her role as a Board Member of MBC, an institution which is mandated to ensure that the media is free of political influence. She said that committee members believe that Nahla cannot remain in the board of MBC for much longer.

Article 2 (b) of the regulation on MBC states that the institution should ensure that the public broadcaster is free of all political, economic and financial influence.

Nahla joined PPM in a small ceremony held at the party office in October 2012. At the ceremony, she presented 100 application forms of people wishing to join the party to Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the party’s Interim President.

After Nahla expressed interest in becoming a member of PPM Council, members of the Broadcasting Commission and MBC were summoned to the Independent Institutions Committee yesterday for questioning.

Rozaina said that the committee will make a decision on Sunday on whether to allow Nahla to participate in the meetings of MBC’s Board of Directors.

Nahla has commenced campaigns with PPM presidential candidate Umar Naseer. At a campaign event held at Ghiyaasuddeen School last Tuesday night, Umar Naseer introduced Nahla and announced that she will contest in the election for the PPM Council seat.

In addition to Nahla, several Board Members of MBC have been alleged of being active in leading posts in political parties.