Ex-elections chief appointed to police watchdog

Parliament approved Wednesday former elections commissioner Ahmed Sulaiman to the watchdog body for law enforcement agencies.

Sulaiman, who resigned from the Elections Commission last month, was approved with 32 votes from the 85-member house. Opposition MPs have been boycotting sittings since the official parliament opening and presidential address last week.

President Abdulla Yameen nominated Sulaiman to replace the former president of the National Integrity Commission, who was sacked in November after accusing police of obstructing probes.

The NIC is an oversight body for the police and customs. The three-member commission investigates alleged violations of laws and regulations by employees, takes administrative action, and forwards cases for criminal prosecution.

Yameen’s nominee for the new Maldivian ambassador to Japan, Ibrahim Uwais, was also approved at today’s brief sitting.

Sulaiman’s tenure at the Elections Commission was marked by conflict with opposition parties, the controversial removal of 12 parliamentarians and the failure to hold by-elections within the timeframe mandated by the constitution.

The EC also faced criticism over multiple delays to the 2017 local council elections, which was delayed for the third time with the commission claiming that the situation in the Maldives was not conducive for campaigning due to a flu outbreak.

Sulaiman was formerly a senior member of the People’s Alliance, a party led by Yameen until 2011.

Regular sittings of People’s Majlis underway peacefully. Today’s agenda include 2 reports, One from National Security Committee, and Independent Institution Committee, final debate in chamber and voting. #Maldives #MaldivesCrisis #SoE pic.twitter.com/8DagUccCvE

— Ahmed Nihan (@ahmed_nihan) February 28, 2018