President Appoints Mohamed Shakeel to Restore Elections Commission to Full Strength

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has appointed Mohamed Shakeel as a member of the Elections Commission, bringing the constitutional body back to its full complement of five members. The appointment follows the formal approval of Shakeel's nomination by the Maldivian Parliament. During a ceremony held at the President's Office, Supreme Court Judge Mohamed Saleem administered the oath of office. Following the ceremony, President Muizzu presented the official letter of appointment to Shakeel, who signed the formal declaration of oath. The vacancy was created following the resignation of Mohamed Zahid, who stepped down from both his role as President and as a member of the Commission. To fill the seat, the administration opened applications, leading to the nomination and subsequent parliamentary confirmation of Shakeel. Shakeel is no stranger to the Commission, bringing a wealth of institutional knowledge to the role. He previously served as a member from December 2014 to May 2018, and prior to that, he held the position of Director General from September 2013. During his interview with the Parliament's Committee on Independent Institutions, Shakeel addressed his 2018 departure, stating he resigned because the environment at the time did not support the independent exercise of his duties. He emphasized his unwavering commitment to autonomy, asserting that he would resign again should he encounter similar constraints in the future. If appointed, Shakeel pledged to operate independently and ensure that all political parties have equitable opportunities to raise concerns and engage in constructive dialogue with the Commission. While the Commission is now fully staffed with members Vice President Abdul Rahman Salah Rasheed, Hassan Zakariyya, Abdul Haseeb Ismail, Riffath Abdulla, and Mohamed Shakeel, the position of President of the Elections Commission remains vacant. Under current law, the President of the Maldives may appoint a Commission President from among the existing members, subject to parliamentary approval.