Parliamentary Bill Proposes Overhaul of ECM Appointment Process

A bill aimed at amending the Elections Commission Act was introduced to the parliament, proposing a change in the process of appointing members to the Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM).

The bill, put forward by Holhudhoo MP Yoonus Ali, representing the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), seeks to alter Article 4 of the Elections Commission Act, which currently mandates the appointment of ECM members by the president. Presently, the president is obligated to submit nominations for membership to the parliament when necessary, in numbers meeting the required positions to be filled.

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Under the proposed amendment, the responsibility for appointing ECM members would shift to the parliament. The bill outlines a procedure where parliament would open applications for EC membership whenever deemed necessary. Additionally, it suggests that the parliament’s Independent Institutions Committee would review the applications received in response to the notice and submit their recommendations to the floor for a vote.

If approved by the majority of votes in parliament, the president would then be mandated to appoint the selected applicants to the ECM. This proposed change aims to enhance parliamentary oversight and involvement in the appointment process of the Elections Commission.