President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has appointed Mohamed Zahid as President and Abdul Rahman Salah Rasheed as Vice President of the Elections Commission (EC).

The appointments, made under Section 7 of the Elections Commission Act were confirmed following parliamentary approval on February 17, 2025. Both Zahid and Salah were previously appointed as members of the commission on January 26, 2025.

Zahid, formerly the Vice Chairman of the Human Rights Commission (HRC), now leads the EC, while Salah, who previously served as the commission’s director and acting secretary, assumes the role of Deputy Chairman.

These appointments follow amendments to the Elections Commission Act last year, which granted the President the authority to appoint the commission’s leadership with parliamentary approval. Previously, the Chairman and Deputy Chairman were elected internally by commission members.

The Elections Commission, an independent body established under the Constitution ratified on August 7, 2008, is responsible for overseeing elections, referendums, and political party registrations.

The five-member commission also includes Dr Mohamed Zahir, Hassan Zakaria, and Abdul Haseeb Ismail.