Parliament's Committee on Independent Institutions has approved the appointment of Mohamed Zahid as the President of the Election Commission (EC) and Abdul Rahman Salah Rasheed as the Vice President.

The committee approved their appointments based on their education, experience, and previous approval by Parliament. Since Parliament had already endorsed their selection, no further interviews were conducted.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu appointed Mohamed Zahid and Abdul Rahman Salah Rasheed to the EC on 26 January 2020. Their appointments follow an amendment to the Election Commission Act last year, which now requires the President to appoint the President and Vice President of the EC. However, these appointments must receive parliamentary approval. Previously, these positions were filled through an internal vote among commission members.

This marks the first time the President has appointed the President and Vice President of the Election Commission under the amended law.

The five-member Election Commission now consists of Dr. Mohamed Zahir, Hassan Zakariyya, Abdul Haseeb Ismail, Mohamed Zahid, and Abdul Rahman Salah Rasheed.