The People’s Majlis has approved the appointment of Mohamed Shakeel as a member of the Elections Commission (EC).

Shakeel, who was serving as the Managing Director of the Maldives Hajj Corporation, was nominated for the vacancy by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu following a public call for applications. The President forwarded his nomination to Parliament on the 9th of this month.

The nomination was introduced to the parliament floor on June 15 and subsequently referred to the Committee on Independent Institutions for further evaluation. The committee completed its review and submitted its report endorsing Shakeel’s appointment to the floor yesterday.

In today's sitting, Parliament passed Shakeel’s appointment with a majority of 51 votes from the 60 members present. Seven members from the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) voted against the motion.

Shakeel has prior experience working with the electoral body, having previously served as an EC member from December 3, 2014, to May 9, 2018. Prior to that role, he also served as the commission's Director General from September 2013 until December 2014.

The seat on the five-member commission became vacant following the resignation of its former President, Mohamed Zahid, who stepped down from both his presidency and membership. The commission currently comprises Vice President Abdul Rahman Salah Rashid, alongside members Hassan Zakariyya, Abdul Haseeb Ismail, and Riffath Abdulla, while the position of Commission President remains vacant.