Parliament to Hold Sitting During Recess

The Parliament has decided to hold a sitting tomorrow during its current recess.

The second session of parliament concluded earlier this month, but the Secretariat confirmed that a sitting will take place tomorrow, though the agenda has not yet been disclosed.

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Among the issues awaiting parliamentary attention are appointments to the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM). President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had earlier nominated two candidates, of whom only Mohamed Shafeeq Mahmood was endorsed by the Human Rights and Gender Committee and later approved by parliament. With vacancies remaining, the president has since submitted three new nominees — Ahmed Maqsoom, Ameera Naeem and Fathimath Naf’ath Abdul Vahkhab — all of whom were interviewed by the committee yesterday and cleared for floor consideration.

Another key matter is a new bill proposing the creation of a unified media regulatory authority. If passed, the legislation would dissolve the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) and the Maldives Media Council (MMC), transferring their responsibilities to a single body with broader oversight powers. The government argues that the change will strengthen regulation and reduce institutional overlap, while critics contend that it could undermine media independence. The “Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Bill” was submitted by Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Aboobakuru, an independent member who works with the ruling party. 

Local media associations, civil society groups, and several international organisations have called for the bill’s withdrawal, warning that the proposed authority risks concentrating excessive control over the press. Debate on the legislation is expected to continue in tomorrow’s sitting.