Parliament has approved the appointment of Mohamed Shakeel, Managing Director of Maldives Hajj Corporation, as a member of the Elections Commission (EC), filling the vacancy created by the resignation of former EC Chairperson Mohamed Zahid.

Shakeel's appointment was approved with the support of 51 lawmakers following a recommendation by Parliament's Independent Institutions Committee. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had nominated Shakeel for the post and submitted his name to Parliament for approval.

The vacancy arose after Zahid resigned from the Elections Commission despite having more than three years remaining in his term. No reason was publicly provided for his resignation.

Shakeel previously served as a member of the Elections Commission from 3 December 2014 to 9 May 2018. Prior to that, he served as the commission's Director General from 1 September 2013 until his appointment as a commissioner.

The Elections Commission is comprised of five members. Following Shakeel's appointment, the commission consists of Vice President Abdul Rahman Salah Rasheed, Hassan Zakariyya, Abdul Haseeb Ismail, Uz Riffath Abdulla and Mohamed Shakeel.