Over 300 Media Eligible to Vote for New Media Commission, Including Inactive and Gov’t Bulletins
Journalist protesting outside the Maldivian Parliament on September 16, 2025 | Photo: MV+
The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) revealed that 335 media outlets and 17 broadcasters, including inactive media and government-owned news bulletins, are eligible to vote in the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission election, scheduled for 11 October, according to the list of registered voters published today.
The deadline to submit complaints regarding the list is Monday, 29 September, at 3:00 p.m. Complaints can be submitted via the form available on the ECM website and emailed to registration@elections.gov.mv. The Commission will comprise four members representing the media, two representing broadcasters, and two representing other media. Broadcasters will vote only for broadcasting representatives, while other media elect their respective members.
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According to Article 21(c) of the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act, media and broadcasters operating with the required registration are eligible for one vote in the election.
However, amongst the list of eligible media and broadcasters, include inactive media such as Haveeru, in addition to media bulletins run by state-owned enterprises such as the Fenaka Bulletin, STELCO Times.
At present, the Commission is overseen by an interim body of five civil servants appointed by the Civil Service Commission. The Commission was established following the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act, ratified by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on 18 September, which dissolved the existing Maldives Media Council (MMC) and incorporated the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) into the new regulatory body.
Permanent members must be elected within 30 days of the interim committee’s formation. Each member will serve a five-year term and may hold office for a maximum of two consecutive terms.
In response to the passing and the ratification of the heavily criticised media regulatory act, the Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) is currently in the process of forming its own regulatory body, the Press Council Committee. The final structure of the committee is projected to be completed by October 22.
