Parliament Endorses Three Nominees to New Media Commission

Parliament has approved three members to the newly established Media and Broadcasting Commission (Media Commission), endorsing a slate that includes Safa Safeeq, the former head of the Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom).

In a vote held during today’s sitting, 54 MPs backed the nominees while nine voted against. The same margin applied to the endorsement of former Broadcom members Aminath Saraahath Izzath and Mohamed Farshath, a former Civil Service Commission member.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

The vote had been slated for yesterday but was postponed after the Speaker announced that 17 MPs were overseas on official travel and two were on leave, leaving the chamber short of a quorum. Parliamentary nominees require approval by a simple majority of the People’s Majlis (47 members).

Under the Maldives Media and Broadcasting Regulation Act, the seven-member Media Commission comprises three members appointed by Parliament and four selected by the media sector—two representing broadcasters and two from other media outlets. 

The four industry seats have already been filled without a formal vote 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.

Once constituted, the Commission’s President will be chosen by Parliament, while its Vice-President will be elected by Commission members in a secret ballot.

Other votes in today’s sitting;

• Pension Act amendment: The amendment to the Pension Act of the Maldives (Act No. 8/2009), submitted by North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim, was rejected by 52 MPs.
• Blood supply motion: A motion to gather parliamentary views on addressing challenges in obtaining blood in the Maldives, sponsored by opposition MP Mohamed Ibrahim, was rejected by 53 MPs.
• Organ Transplant Bill: The bill sponsored by South Feydhoo MP Ibrahim Did was accepted with 63 votes in favour.