Parliament removes 2 Elections Commission members; retains 1
The removal of Nashath and Asif leaves the five-member commission with only two active members.
Parliament on Monday removed two members of the Elections Commission (EC) despite a recommendation by the independent institutions committee to remove three EC members.
Vice-President Ali Nashath and Mohamed Asif were dismissed, while Mohamed Zahir was retained in his position.
The decision follows a confidential meeting held by the committee, which had initially recommended the removal of all three members, citing over 15 charges, including allegations of misusing the EC database and selling public information.
Parliament voted to remove Nashath and Asif with 69 votes in favour, while 10 members of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) opposed the decision.
In a separate vote on Zahir’s removal, both the Progressive National Congress (PNC) and MDP members voted against dismissal, with 70 members approving his retention.
The removal of Nashath and Asif leaves the five-member commission with only two active members:
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Mohamed Zahir
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Hassan Zakaria, a former secretary general of the commission who was recently appointed as a member.
The position of EC president is currently vacant following the expiration of Fuad Thaufeeq's term on Saturday.
Fuad has been nominated by the president for the position of ambassador to Thailand. His appointment is pending parliamentary approval.
