Elections Commission (EC)’s Vice President Ahmed Akram, on Thursday, resigned from his post shortly after the Parliamentary Committee on Independent Institutions finalised the decision to dismiss him in connection to sexual harassment allegations.
According to Akram’s letter addressed to President Ibrahim Solih, he was resigning from the post as he did not believe that filling in as a member of an independent institution without the Parliament Committee’s trust was an appropriate decision.
The Parliament Committee’s dismissal was approved with the votes of seven out of a total nine parliamentarians that participated in the committee session. Allegations of misconduct were raised by several female staff members of the Elections Commission.
The aforementioned employees were summoned for closed-door meetings previously held by the parliamentary committee. According to the staff, sexual harassment was prevalent within the corruption watchdog.
However, Akram denied the accusations in his letter, claiming that the case against him was lodged to further an agenda against him, based on false allegations.
Adding that he informed the committee of the matter in detail, he assured President Solih that he did not commit any of the acts he was accused of.
EC President Ahmed Shareef expressed concern following Akram’s resignation, describing it as the loss of a capable leader.
Further defending Akram on Twitter, Shareef asserted that Akram is “not the type to sexually assault or harass” anyone.
Akram was appointed for his second term at EC in March, after receiving approval from 77 parliamentarians.
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