MJA Condemns Delay in Allowing Elected Media Council Members to Take Office
From the MMC’s bi-election held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 | Photo: Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts
The Maldives Journalists Association (MJA) has strongly condemned the continued delay in allowing three newly elected members of the Maldives Media Council to begin their official duties, calling the situation “unacceptable.”
In a statement issued via their official ‘X’ account, the MJA expressed deep concern over repeated delays that have prevented the elected members from assuming their roles, despite the election results being clear and undisputed.
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In the bi-election held last Saturday, Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim from Dhauru news and Leevan Ali Nasir from Adhadhu news were elected as members representing the media. Hawwa Wajda Gasim was elected as the member representing the public. However, the ministry has been delaying the usual procedure of letting the newly elected members assume their responsibilities, MJA said.
މީޑޑިއާ ކައުންސިލަށް އަލަށް ހޮވުނު ތިން މެންބަރުނަށް މަގާމުގެ މަސްއޫލިއްޔަތު އަދާކުރަން ފުރުސަތު ނުދީ ދަންމަމުންދާ މައްސަލަ ކުށްވެރިކޮށް އެ ތިން މެންބަރުންނަށް މަސްއޫލިއްޔަތު އަދާކުރެވޭނެ މަގު ލަސްނުކޮށް ވީހާ ވެސް އަވަހަކަށް ތަނަވަސްކޮށްދިނުމަށް މި ޖަމްއިއްޔާއިން މިނިސްޓްރީއަށް… https://t.co/LQ3Zn5deKh pic.twitter.com/6wP02lpe25— Maldives Journalists Association (@mjamaldives) June 25, 2025
Muzayyin received 50 votes from the media while Leevan received 48. The other candidate who ran for the media seat, Mariyam Milzam Masood, received four votes.
Hawwa Wajda Gasim received 38 votes, and Nahula Adam, the other candidate who ran for the public seat, received 12 votes.
The MJA stated that although the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts has attributed the delay to a complaint lodged by a losing party, this does not justify obstructing the elected representatives from fulfilling their mandated responsibilities.
The association has urged the ministry to act without further delay and ensure the elected members are immediately permitted to perform their duties, warning that continued inaction undermines the democratic process and the credibility of the Media Council.
