Elections vice chief Habeeb resigns after two terms

After 21 years in service, and two terms as a member of the Election Commission, the Vice-President of the commission, Ismail Habeeb has resigned.

Habeeb, who was also the spokesperson of the commission, resigned from the post on Tuesday after his two terms as a member expired. This is Habeeb's second term on the commission.

Habeeb was first appointed as a member of the Commission, on 13 March 2014. Habeeb was appointed to the commission for the second time, on 13 March 2019. According to the law, the term of office of the members of the Commission is five years. A maximum of two terms can be served.

Habeeb first started working in the then Election Office in 2003 as a retired employee in the non-formal education department. He has been an executive director since 2007.

In an X post on Wednesday, Habeeb said his 21 years of serving the people was a "lasting experience". He also thanked the members, staff, institutions, journalists and political parties for their cooperation during this period.

Habeeb is known as arguably the most media friendly spokesperson in state institutions.

Nominations have now been sent to parliament for approval to replace Habeeb as a member of the commission. Among them, President Mohammed Muizzu has requested the appointment of Secretary General Hassan Zakariya.