Mohamed Shafiu has won the vacant seat at Maldives Media Council (MMC).
Shafiu won the by-election held on September 11 with 57 votes, beating Waheed Ali who received 36 votes, and Aishath Hussain who received no vote. A total of 93 media outlets voted in the MMC by-election, while 103 media outlets had registered to vote.
MMC opened applications for membership following the resignation of member Mohamed Yameen Ibrahim, who is the Secretary-General of the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM). MMC regulation states the council is required to appoint a new member within 28 days after a seat becomes vacant. Members of MMC are appointed for a term of two years.
The main function of the council is to preserve, promote and maintain the freedom of the press, within the legal framework of the Maldives and to encourage the growth of a sense of responsibility, public service, ethics, and a high standard of professionalism among all those engaged in the profession of journalism.