16 candidates apply for post of elections commissioner

16 applicants have sent in their resumes for the soon-to-be vacant post of member of the Elections Commission, says the President’s Office.

Member of EC, Ismail Habeeb Abdul Raheem is near the end of his term. And the President’s Office opened application for the post on February 13.

The opportunity to apply for the post closed last Wednesday.

President’s Spokesperson and Chief Communications Strategist at the President’s Office, Ibrahim Hood reports total 16 candidates applied for the post.

Hood declined to disclose the identities of the applicants, but said the names will be sent to the Parliament for selection soon.

‘Sun’ has been informed Habeeb himself has applied for a second term at the EC.

A term of a member of EC is five years, and there is no legal obstacle to a member of the EC applying for consecutive terms.

The EC has five members who are all appointed through a vote taken by the Parliament.

Any Maldivian citizen who is a Muslim and 25 year or above, who is not a government or private sector employee, or a political appointee is eligible to apply as a member of EC.

The names of those who qualify are evaluated by a Parliament committee, and the final decision is made via a vote during a general sitting of the Parliament.

CURRENT ELECTIONS COMMISSIONERS:

1. Ahmed Shareef, President
2. Amjad Mustafa, Vice President
3. Ahmed Akram, Spokesperson
4. Ali Nashaath
5. Ismail Habeeb Abdul Raheem