Media commission election sees setbacks

The election process for the newly formed Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission has faced difficulties, following the enactment of the media regulation act.

Four of the seven members of the Commission are required to be elected by the media. The deadline for submitting nominations closed at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The Elections Commission (EC) announced that a total of six candidates had filed nominations. These included four candidates for the two positions representing broadcasters and two candidates for the two positions representing online or other media.

Of the four broadcaster candidates, three were accepted, while one was rejected. One of the three accepted candidates later withdrew. Of the two candidates for other media, only one was accepted. The reason for rejecting two candidacies has not been disclosed.

With these developments, the number of eligible candidates remains insufficient for all four positions.

The media regulation bill, ratified on 18 September, dissolved the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) and the Maldives Media Council (MMC), replacing them with the new Commission. The President ratified the bill despite concerns raised by local journalists and international organisations.

The bill was introduced as a private member’s bill by Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, Member of Parliament for Thulhaadhoo, with drafting led by Deputy Speaker Ahmed Nazim. It was passed in parliament within two weeks while the legislature was on recess. Some committee meetings reviewing the bill were held behind closed doors.