Fathimath Niusha, the current Secretary General, was unanimously approved for the role, as was Fathimath Filza for Counsel General. Tholhath Hassan, who had been appointed Sergeant at Arms in March, also received approval to continue in the post.
Parliament has approved the extension of terms for three senior members of the Parliament Secretariat.
In today’s vote, Parliament confirmed the appointments of Fathimath Niusha as Secretary General, Fathimath Filza as Counsel General, and Tholhath Hassan as Sergeant at Arms, in accordance with parliamentary regulations.
Fathimath Niusha, the current Secretary General, was unanimously approved for the role, as was Fathimath Filza for Counsel General. Tholhath Hassan, who had been appointed Sergeant at Arms in March, also received approval to continue in the post.
Under Parliament regulations, newly formed parliaments must appoint a Secretary General, Counsel General, and Sergeant at Arms within the first two terms of the session. These positions are to be filled unless otherwise determined by the Parliament before the end of the initial two terms after the regulations come into effect.
The regulations states that the Speaker of Parliament must open the application process for these posts, with eligible candidates’ names submitted to the Speaker for approval. Appointments are to be made based on a majority vote of the members.
However, both in this term and the previous one, the positions were filled without a public announcement or open application process.
The term of office for the Secretary General, Counsel General, and Sergeant at Arms is five years. According to Parliament's hierarchy, the Secretary General is the most senior official after the Speaker and Vice-Speaker, followed by the Sergeant at Arms.