Vote on Media Commission Nominees Stalled After Majlis Failed to Meet Quorum

A planned vote to confirm three parliamentary nominees to the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Commission (Media Commission) could not proceed on Monday after the People’s Majlis failed to meet quorum.

Announcing the halt during the sitting, the Speaker said 17 MPs are abroad on official trips and two are on leave, leaving too few members present to take votes. He added that the confirmations would be put to a vote in another sitting and postponed all other votes scheduled for today.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

Parliament’s Committee on Independent Institutions has endorsed Safa Shafeeq, a former president of the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom), Aminath Saraahath Izzath, a former Broadcom member, and Mohamed Farshath, a former Civil Service Commission member. In interviews, the committee awarded Farshath 90.50%, Shafeeq 88.88%, and Saraahath 87.88%, while other candidates did not reach the 75% threshold required to advance.

Under the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act, the seven-member MMBC comprises three members appointed by Parliament and four selected by the media sector—two representing broadcasters and two from other media outlets. The Act stipulates that parliamentary nominees must be approved by a majority of the Majlis (47 members).

The four industry seats have already been filled without a formal ballot after uncontested races: former Broadcom member Zamath Ahmed Waheed and Abdulazeez Ibrahim for the broadcaster seats, and Hussain Shageef and Simaha Naseem for the “other media” seats.

Today’s scheduled agenda items;

1. Resolution on Aasandha access: A resolution to ascertain MPs’ views on the lack of access to Aasandha healthcare services for foreigners married to Maldivians, sponsored by Mohamed Ibrahim, MP for North Galolhu.
2. Ministerial question time: MP Hussain Sameer’s question to the Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage, Adam Naseer Ibrahim.
3. Pension Act amendment: The preliminary debate on the Amendment Bill to the Pension Act of the Maldives (Act No. 8/2009), submitted by North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim.
4. Blood supply motion: The preliminary debate on MP Mohamed Ibrahim’s motion to gather parliamentary views on addressing challenges in obtaining blood in the Maldives.