Elections Commission opens complaints on media voter list

The Elections Commission (EC) on Sunday published the list of media outlets eligible to vote in the election of members to the newly established Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission.

The commission was created following the ratification of the media regulation law on 18 September, which dissolved the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) and the Maldives Media Council (MMC). The new body replaces the previous self-regulatory framework.

On Thursday, the EC opened nominations for four of the seven commission seats, which will be elected by the media. The remaining three members, including the chairperson, will be appointed by parliament.

According to the gazetted list, 353 media outlets are registered to vote in the upcoming election scheduled for 11 October. This includes 18 broadcasting companies. Some outlets listed are inactive or no longer publish regularly.

Of the four members to be elected, two must represent online media and two must represent broadcasters.

Complaints regarding the voter list will be accepted until 3 p.m. on Monday, the EC said.

The bill that established the commission was introduced by Abdul Hannan Abubakar, MP for Thulhaadhoo constituency, with the support of the ruling PNC. It was drafted by Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim. The legislation was passed within two weeks while parliament was in recess, and some committee deliberations were held behind closed doors.