Parliament has unanimously approved the appointment of two new members to the Elections Commission (EC) during an extraordinary sitting held on January 16.

The nominees, Mohamed Zahid and Abdul Rahman Salah Rasheed, were endorsed in a decisive 68-0 vote, signalling strong parliamentary support for their inclusion in the commission.

The appointments come in the wake of significant vacancies within the EC, following the dismissal of Ali Nashath and Mohamed Asif, who had been serving as the commission’s vice president and a member, respectively. Both were removed through no-confidence votes after serious allegations of misconduct surfaced. The accusations included creating and selling fake membership applications to political parties, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral body and prompting swift parliamentary action.

Mohamed Zahid, one of the new appointees, brings with him considerable experience in public service. He previously served as the deputy president of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) before being dismissed from the post in 2020. His background also includes roles as a member of the HRCM and as a deputy minister at the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services.

Abdul Rahman Salah Rasheed also has extensive experience relevant to his new role. He previously served as the secretary general of the Elections Commission and held the position of permanent secretary at the Home Ministry. His familiarity with the EC’s operations is expected to facilitate a smooth transition into his new responsibilities.