New members elected to Maldives Media Council

Ten new members were elected to the Maldives Media Council (MMC) on Saturday, with the term of ten out of 15 incumbent members of the council set to expire in a week.

22 candidates contested the elections, which took place at the Social Center in Male’. 139 different media outlets took part in the voting.

The candidates who won the election are:

• Fathimath Shana Mohamed - Mihaaru: 118 votes
• Najah Masood - Vaguthu: 117 votes
• Hassan Shakir - Aafathis: 93 votes
• Hasfy Abdulla – Hafsy.com: 75 votes
• Hussain Shaqeef – Thiladhun: 74 votes
• Hussain Hassan – 27 Online: 74 votes
• Fathimath Nahudha Faiz – Dhiyares: 71 votes
• Ibrahim Fauzy, lawyer: 80 votes
• Fathimath Fahmy, MMC’s former legal head: 76 votes
• Ibrahim Mohamed, former journalist: 49 votes

The latter three contested for seats open to members of the general public.

The latter three contested for seats open to members of the general public.

This marks the first time that a representative from the state broadcaster Television Maldives (TVM) wasn’t elected to the MMC.

The voting had been largely peaceful. However, several candidates complained over lastminute changes to the voters’ list.

MMC is composed of 15 members; eight of whom are media representatives and the remaining seven elected from among the public.

Members of the MMC serve two-year terms, and are barred from serving consecutive terms.