The Election Commission (EC) has repealed a provision in its laws relating to a retirement package for EC members.
The amendments, which had also been gazetted in February of this year, were rescinded on Sunday in response to the Finance Ministry's instructions, according to an official from EC.
"The ministry has informed us that only the Parliament can make any changes in the salaries and allowances of commission members. Therefore, even if amendments are enacted, the ministry cannot enforce them without parliamentary consent," stated the official.
The retirement package was initially introduced by EC members on February 28, 2013, as the term of former EC Vice-President Ismail Habeeb was nearing its end. The package was introduced while some independent institutions were seeking legal authorization for such packages through the Parliament.
The EC introduced its retirement package such that it also applied to all five members of the EC at the time. The five members of the EC at the time were Fuwad Thaufeek, Ismail Habeeb, Mohamed Asif, Ali Nashath, and Dr. Mohamed Zahir. While Habeeb's term has now ended, he has been succeeded by former EC Secretary General Hassan Zakariyya.
Currently, members of the Election Commission receive a monthly salary of MVR 40,000.
