EC member Nashath’s term expires with Majlis in recess

Elections Commission (EC)’s member Ali Nashath’s term expired on Tuesday, after the Parliament went to recess before making a decision on his nomination for a new term.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had nominated Nashath for an additional five-year term back in May.

However, the Parliament hadn’t reviewed the nomination when it went into recess in late June.

The law mandates for vacancies at the commission to be filled within 60 days.

The expiration of Nashath’s term cuts down the commission from five to four members, as it gets ready to hold the presidential election.

The four members remaining are; the commission’s chairman Fuad Thaufeeq, vice chairman Ismail Habeeb, and members Mohamed Asif and Dr. Mohamed Zahir.

In his last act as a member of the commission, Nashath joined two other members in voting in favor of a vote of no confidence against the commission’s chairman on Monday.

However, the power to dismiss Fuad lies with the Parliament.

With two months left to the presidential election, the commission is divided to two factions. Members Asif and Zahir have also expressed lack of confidence in Fuad, and have refused to attend any meetings chaired by him.

The commission’s meetings are now chaired by Habeeb.