ECM Publishes Regulation to Elect Members for Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission

The Elections Commission of the Maldives (ECM) published the “Regulation to Elect Members for the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission” yesterday, outlining the process for selecting members for the newly formed commission under the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act.

Under the regulation, each registered media and broadcaster in the Maldives is allowed to vote, with one representative per registered institution.

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Background

On September 21, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) announced the interim members who will manage the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission following the ratification of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act on September 18 by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

The Act, passed by parliament two days earlier, voided the existing Maldives Media Council (MMC) and absorbed the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) to form the new regulatory body.

Permanent members of the Commission must be elected within 30 days of the interim committee’s formation. Members will serve five-year terms and may hold office for a maximum of two consecutive terms.

Key Provisions of the Regulation

• The commission will comprise four members representing the media, two representing broadcasters, and two representing other media. Only broadcasters may vote for the broadcasting representatives, while other media elect their representatives.
  
• Government authorities maintaining the registry of media and broadcasters must provide relevant information within two days upon request.
  
• The ECM will announce eligible parties for voting and allow a period for complaints.
  
• A minimum of ten days will be provided for candidates to submit applications, with the ECM confirming completeness and eligibility within 48 hours.
  
• In case a seat becomes vacant, authorities must notify the ECM within two days, and elections must be held within 30 days to fill the vacant seat.
  
• Voting rights are limited to individuals registered with the ECM according to its policies.
  

Candidate Eligibility

Candidates must:

• Be a Maldivian citizen aged 30 or older.
  
• Hold a BA in media, management, or policy-making, or have five years of relevant experience.
  
• Not be editors, stakeholders in a media outlet, elected or appointed officials, political party members, or convicted of serious crimes, including “hudud”, drug offences, sexual crimes against children, fraud, or bribery.
  
• Does not own stocks in any registered communication media or services.

However, the regulation does not specify whether candidates holding shares in public limited companies related to communication or media services are included in the criteria that prohibit stock ownership in such companies.

The regulation also outlines campaign rules, monitoring by journalists, appointment of candidate representatives, polling procedures, void votes, second-round voting, and post-election reporting. The ECM will publish an official report within 30 days after the election.

Since the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act was passed amidst heavy criticism and pushback from local journalists and media organisations, the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) formed a Press Council Committee on September 22 to self-regulate. The Managing Editor for Dhauru, Ahmed Zahir (Hiriga Zahir), was appointed as Chairperson and MJA Executive Director Mohamed Junaid Saleem as Co-Chairperson that day. Members agreed to finalise the structure of the committee within a month, by 22 October.