Parliament approves Zahid for appointment as EC’s chairman, Salah as vice chairman

The Parliament on Monday approved President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s nominees Mohamed Zahid and Abdul Rahman Salah Rasheed as chairman and vice chairman, respectively, of the Elections Commission (EC).

President Muizzu had asked the Parliament for approval for the appointments on January 26. The letter was read at the Parliament when it opened after recess earlier this month.

The Parliament took the floor vote on them on Monday morning.

Zahid received the Parliament’s approval with a unanimous vote of 68, while Salah secured a unanimous vote of 69.

Zahid and Salah were appointed as members of the EC on January 26.

Zahid had served as vice president of the Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) until he was dismissed in 2020. He also previously served deputy minister at the Gender Ministry.

Meanwhile, Salah previously served as secretary-general at the EC. He also served as permanent secretary at the Home Ministry.

Zahid and Salah were appointed to fill seats vacated in November last year after two of the commission’s members – vice president Ali Nashath and member Mohamed Asif were dismissed following no-confidence motions passed by the Parliament based on serious allegations of misconduct including creating and selling fake membership applications to political parties. But a third commissioner, Dr. Mohamed Zahir, who faced the same allegations, survived the vote.