Committee approves removal of 5 members from ACC, EC
The decision to remove the ACC and EC members comes alongside proposed amendments to the governing laws of both commissions.
Independent institutions committee of parliament on Sunday approved the removal of five members from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Elections Commission (EC).
The members removed include ACC Vice President Abdul Salam and member Thoha Mohamed, along with EC Vice President Ali Nashath and members Mohamed Zahir and Mohamed Asif.
Parliament initiated the removal process on November 12, targeting six members across three institutions, including the Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chairman Mohamed Naseeh. According to a letter from the independent institutions committee, the removals were based on alleged breaches of the code of conduct and susceptibility to influence, although no specific details were provided.
While the schedule of Sunday's committee meeting was shared with the media, the meeting itself was held confidential without disclosing the subject under discussion. The committee decided to remove the five members from the ACC and EC but voted against the removal of CSC President Naseeh.
MDP MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem stated that the six members were given an opportunity to respond to the allegations in writing. However, he claimed the committee disregarded their submissions when making its decision.
"The decision was made based on questions of integrity over the allegations, without considering their responses," he said.
The decision to remove the ACC and EC members comes alongside proposed amendments to the governing laws of both commissions.
If passed, these amendments would grant the president the authority to appoint the president and vice president of the ACC and EC. The amendments have already been approved by the committee.
