The Parliament is set to convene an out-of-session meeting this Thursday, January 16, to appoint members to vacant positions in the Broadcasting Commission and the Election Commission.

The session will feature the presentation of three items and two committee reports from the Speaker's table, followed by voting on issues that have been completed. The session is expected to address important matters, including the President's recent appointments and proposals.

Ibrahim Falah, Parliament Majority leader and Member of Parliament for Inguraidhoo, confirmed that there will be two additional sittings that will take place outside the scheduled session this month to complete the pending parliamentary business. These sittings are set for January 16 and 20, with a focus on finalising the appointment of members to independent institutions.

Three key issues referred by the President will be discussed in Thursday's session. These include the approval of four ministers recently appointed by the President to various positions. The President appointed Moosa Zameer as the Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed as Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development, Dr Maryam Mariya Abdulla as Minister of Agriculture and Animal Welfare, and Dr Abdulla Muththalib as Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure. However, their appointments will only be legally binding after receiving approval from Parliament.

Additionally, the session will address a proposal to appoint two members to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and consider the appointment of a vice president for the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM). A report from the Committee on Independent Institutions regarding the vacant posts in the Broadcasting Commission and the Election Commission will also be presented. A vote will take place following the debates on these matters.

In preparation for the opening of the Parliament’s official session on February 6, Falah noted that the President would deliver his annual address during the ceremony.