Applications open for EC membership following Zahid’s resignation

The President’s Office has opened applications for Elections Commission (EC) membership following the resignation of the Commission’s president Mohamed Zahid.

Zahid resigned from his post on May 1^st. However, the reason behind his resignation remains unknown.

The President’s Office, on Tuesday, announced applications for EC membership with the Office accepting applications and supporting documents until 12:00pm on Wednesday, June 3^rd.

According to the President’s Office, applications and supporting documents will be accepted between 8:30am and 12:00pm on all working days.

Application forms are available at the President’s Office reception and may also be downloaded from the President’s Office website.

Zahid was appointed to EC in January last year and later the president of the Commission in February. His resignation came with more than three years left on his term. 

Notably, EC was recently the target of significant public criticism arising from serious allegations. 

Among these concerns are allegations of government influence regarding the Commission’s decision last Monday to extend the application deadline for the vacant Hithadhoo North constituency parliamentary seat. 

This development followed the decision by Mohamed Sinan (Sina), who previously held the seat and initial PNC candidate for the Hithadhoo North by-election scheduled for June 6, to withdraw from the race. Following his withdrawal, which was formally communicated to the EC, the PNC decided on Wednesday to grant the party ticket to Ahmed Saeed (Soda), the councillor for the Hithadhoo Moolekede constituency.

Critics have questioned whether the EC’s decision to extend the filing deadline was a direct result of political influence from the PNC.