President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has appointed Mohamed Shakeel, former Managing Director of the Maldives Hajj Corporation, as President of the Elections Commission (EC).
Shakeel was appointed as a member of the commission on June 24, following the resignation of the commission’s previous president, Mohamed Zahid. At a special ceremony held that day at the President’s Office, Shakeel took the oath of office as an EC member and signed the pledge of allegiance. The President then presented him with his letter of appointment.
President Muizzu subsequently sought the approval of the People’s Majlis to appoint Shakeel as president of the commission. The Majlis approved the appointment with 51 votes in favor.
The Elections Commission confirmed on Tuesday that President Muizzu had formally appointed Shakeel as its president.
Background and Previous Roles
Before his appointment to the commission, Shakeel served as Managing Director of the Maldives Hajj Corporation. He also previously held the position of registrar for the ruling Progressive National Congress (PNC).
Shakeel is not new to the Elections Commission. He previously served as its Director General and later as a commission member. He resigned from his membership in 2018 after three years in the role. Speaking before a Majlis committee at the time, he said he stepped down because the commission lacked an environment in which members could work independently
