There are 719 Political Appointees in Solih’s Gov’t, Says Waheed

President-Elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s Transitional Spokesperson, Mohamed Firuzul Abdulla Khaleel, stated that, according to the 2023 budget, there are 1,063 individuals currently occupying political positions in the government. 

This figure was compared to the 806 political appointees in former President Abdulla Yameen’s government.

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ރައީސް އޮފީހުގެ ހުރިހާ މަޤާމް ތަކަކީ ސިޔާސީ މަޤާމް ތަކެއް. ރައީސް އޮފީސް ނުހިމަނާ މި ސަރުކާރުގަވެސް ތިބީ 719 ސިޔާސީ މުވައްޒަފުން https://t.co/DiENcI5BfW— Ibrahim Waheed (@ibreys) October 10, 2023

Firuzul clarified that President-Elect Muizzu’s incoming government intends to maintain the number of political posts at no more than 700. This decision was reached after a evaluation of the number of administrative employees across various government agencies, including the President’s Office, the President’s Residence, and the Vice-President’s Residence.

However, Minister at the President’s Office, Ibrahim ‘Ibrey’ Waheed, reported a lower figure when questioned about the number of political positions. 

According to Waheed, there are 719 political positions in the outgoing government, excluding employees of the President’s Office, Muliaage, and Hilaaleege. 

He further pointed out that if these employees were included, approximately 214 more individuals could be classified as holding political positions, given that there are 426 employees in these locations.

The appointment and dismissal of individuals to political posts are made under the authority granted to the President by Article 115 of the Constitution, with Minister Ibrahim Waheed acting in accordance with President Solih’s instructions.

Waheed stressed that the number shared by the President-elect’s spokesperson was based on the state budget for the current year, which he argued may not accurately reflect the actual number of appointments. 

Budget figures, he noted, include estimates for positions that may or may not be filled.

In response to concerns about the 719 individuals in political positions, Waheed emphasised that this number is not excessive. 

He stated that any incoming government is likely to see a proportional increase in political appointments due to a growing population and an expanding government workload.