Parliament grants approval to ACC candidates nominated by President

The Parliament on Monday granted approval to the candidates nominated for Anti-Corruption Commission membership.

In the Parliament sitting today, voting took place to grant final approval.

In the voting,

Votes received by the candidates:

Adam Shamil, Raivilla, Th. Vilufushi - 42

Abdul Salaam, Havaa, Sh. Narudhoo - 43

Thaha Mohamed, Kalhihaaruge, ADh. Maamigili - 40

Shazna Hashim, Rihivilu, HDh Nolhivaranfaru - 42

Shiyama Mohamed, Naares, R. Hulhudhuffaaru – 42

A single vote was cast against appointing Thaha Mohamed to ACC, while none of the remaining candidates received any votes against them.

On March 7, the Parliament’s Independent Institutions Committee interviewed the candidates. Subsequently, all five candidates were given approval, with all five receiving the backing of the committee with the unanimous consensus of all members present for the meeting.

ACC currently remains vacant, with the resignation of all five members composing the commission.

Their resignation came after Parliament’s Independent Institutions Committee decided in November 2021 that they would recommend the dismissal of members found to be underperforming following their review. Following its review – the Committee voted to initiate the process of dismissal of all members of ACC in early December as they uncovered the Commission had over 16,000 pending cases.  

On December 26, 2021, the Committee recommended a vote of no-confidence motion on the Parliament floor against the ACC members.

Two of the commission’s members – Ibrahim Shakeel and Ali Ashraf – resigned after the committee began its review.   

The remaining members; the commission’s President Mariyam Shiuna, Vice President Fathimath Anoola, and Aishath Abdulla – tendered their resignation a day after the no-confidence motion was taken.

According to the law, within 60 days of an ACC seat becoming vacant, a new member should be appointed.