The Government of Maldives has introduced new procedures to evaluate and, if necessary, dismiss political appointees who underperform or display negligence in their duties.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu confirmed the move during a press conference held at the President’s Office on May 3, 2025. The new mechanism, he stated, is part of efforts to strengthen accountability and ensure that political positions are filled based on merit and effectiveness.

Under the system, political appointees will undergo formal performance assessments every three months. Those found to be negligent or failing to contribute meaningfully to the Administration’s goals will be removed from their roles. The President’s Office has instructed each minister to submit regular reports on the activities and output of political staff under their supervision.

The policy aims to ensure that all political hires are aligned with the Administration’s commitment to delivering on electoral pledges and advancing government initiatives. The President further emphasised that appointments would not be made unnecessarily and that staffing decisions are guided by the need for effective governance.

As part of the briefing, President Dr Muizzu disclosed that the total number of public sector employees currently stands at around 49,000. Monthly salary expenditure for the entire state workforce amounts to MVR 997 million, of which MVR 32 million is allocated to salaries for political appointees.