Parliament Approves Presidential Authority Over ACC, ECM Appointments
The Parliament has approved legislation granting President Dr Mohamed Muizzu authority to appoint the heads of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM).
The bills, aimed at amending the respective Acts governing the commissions, were passed yesterday with a majority vote of 69-10.
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
The legislation, proposed by Felidhoo MP Adam Zahir and Kelaa MP Abdulla Shareef, allows the President to nominate presidents and vice presidents for both commissions. These nominations will require parliamentary vetting and approval. Previously, the heads of these commissions were elected internally by their members and the results submitted to the President and Parliament within 28 hours.
During the debate, ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) members, who hold a supermajority, supported the changes, citing the ACC’s alleged failure to investigate significant corruption cases effectively. However, opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) members argued that the legislation undermines the independence of these institutions by increasing executive influence.
The amendments also mandate that resignations from the commissions’ leaders be submitted directly to the President.
Top Administrative Officials Retain Positions in Parliament
In a separate development, the Parliament unanimously extended the contracts of three top administrative officials yesterday. Secretary General Fathimath Niusha, Counsel General Filza, and Sergeant-at-Arms Major General (Retired) Tholhath Hassan received unanimous backing, with votes of 79 for Niusha and 80 each for Filza and Tholhath.
The standing orders require these appointments to be confirmed within the first two sessions of a new parliamentary term. The current assembly, which assumed office in May, is now in its second session.
Dismissals and Allegations of Misconduct in the ECM
The Parliament also passed no-confidence motions against ECM Vice President Ali Nashath and member Mohamed Asif over allegations of misconduct, including creating and selling fake membership applications to political parties. Nashath was removed with a 69-10 vote, while Asif’s dismissal passed 68-10.
Surprisingly, the motion against ECM member Dr. Mohamed Zahir failed unanimously, with all 70 members voting against his dismissal. Similarly, Civil Service Commission (CSC) President Mohamed Nasih survived a no-confidence vote, with 64 opposing his removal, 12 in favour, and two abstaining.
The Independent Institutions Committee, which reviewed the allegations, found evidence suggesting that Nashath and Asif manipulated the ECM’s database to create false party memberships and attempted to rig elections in favour of a particular political party. They were also accused of sharing confidential data with the President’s Office and obstructing the registration of a new political party.
The committee’s findings led to initial recommendations to dismiss six commissioners from the ACC, ECM, and CSC. However, two ACC members, Abdul Salam and Thoha Mohamed, resigned before Monday’s floor vote. Nasih, who was accused of spying on commission staff, was cleared due to insufficient evidence.
