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.