Mohamed Shakeel Pledges Political Dialogue if Appointed to Elections Commission

Mohamed Shakeel has pledged to establish open channels of dialogue with all political parties if confirmed as a member of the Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM). Shakeel, currently the Managing Director of Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited, made these commitments during an interview with Parliament's Committee on Independent Institutions. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu nominated Shakeel to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former ECM President Mohamed Zahid. During the review process, Shakeel emphasized his commitment to independence and integrity, citing his previous tenure with the Commission from 2014 to 2018. Addressing his past departure from the ECM, Shakeel explained that he resigned in 2018 because the internal environment had deteriorated, making independent decision-making and professional conduct impossible. He asserted that his conscience would not allow him to work under such conditions, stating he would resign again if a similar situation occurred. Regarding the recurring friction between the ECM and political parties, Shakeel defended the Maldives' electoral system as one of the most transparent globally, noting that its laws and regulations are comparable to those in developed nations. He argued that disputes often stem from failures in timely and comprehensive communication rather than systemic flaws. To bridge this gap, Shakeel proposed providing stakeholders with real-time information regarding the Commission's activities and decisions. He advocated for a shift in the ECM's approach, suggesting that the body should focus on encouraging legal compliance and increasing public awareness of political frameworks rather than focusing on penalizing parties. Shakeel brings extensive experience to the nomination, having previously served as the Commission's Director General starting in 2013 before becoming a member. His nomination will now move to the full Parliament for consideration following the committee's review.