This is a translation of a Dhivehi feature written by Aishath Nuzuha of Mihaaru News. Interviewing the former Vice Chairman of Election's Commission, Ismail Habeeb, she has written his recount of the thirty eight years of his service prior to his resignation.
A blue envelope found its way to Ismail Habeeb who at the time was serving in a managerial position at the General Elections Commission on a fateful day. The letter contained the signature of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom then the honorary leader of the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), sealing an invitation offered to Habeeb to join the party; a letter none but the very prominent received during those times.
At a time when the heat within the political arena was escalating, Habeeb held two options at his disposal. Merge with the color blue and proceed within politics or independently proceed his service at the Elections Commission.
Habeeb’s decision leaned on advancing in his service to his nation as opposed to entering the newly found, influential political party and experiencing the political field.
He ascertained this determination to be an immense comfort to himself; evading the bitter political heat when he departed from years of multiple duties at the Election’s Commission. Habeeb’s farewell to the Commission comes after 21 years of persevering service to the Institution.
Habeeb finds immense joy in his decision weighing service to his nation that day. His biggest perceived triumph is the love and respect he warranted from many amid this protracted 21 years through persistent aversion to yielding to a specific color and setting a brilliant example of bold liberation.
Habeeb traces the beginning of his national service to the Chancellor of the Islamic University, Dr. Mohamed Zahir Hussain, who served as the Education Minister during the 1980s. Requesting Habeeb’s departure to Male’ City for educational purposes to his father during Habeeb’s residence at his native island of Gaaf Alif atoll Kolamaafushi, the Chancellor of the Islamic University, Zahir, had facilitated a better path of education for Habeeb.
“I arrived in Male’ with Zahir’s request and first completed teacher training. After working as a teacher and head teacher following this training, I moved to Male’. I served as the Director of Center for Continuing Education after serving the role of Teacher Educator Coordinator at the Center,” Habeeb recalled the beginning of his service with Mihaaru News.
This was a time when Education Development Center (EDC) and the Center for Continuing Education joined together to collaborate on election procedures. During this period, only three staff members were serving positions at the Elections Commissions while the rest of the officers were pulled from various offices to collate efforts.
Habeeb’s involvement in elections is also rooted to such situations. He divided work amongst the Center for Continuing Education and Elections Commission during the year 2003. The first election task he had undertaken was recording meeting minutes.
Owing to his extended service in the Education field, Habeeb had then stepped into the role of advancing the Commission and began efforts to raise awareness in fulfilment of the Manager (of that time) Rashaad’s request.
“Rashaad desired to utilize me in the efforts to raise awareness as well as have me lead the Training of Trainers during the training launched for officials,” Habeeb explained.
After dispensing himself to Elections Commission in the year 2003, Habeeb had temporarily served in the taskforce up until the year 2007. Amid the upcoming ballots for confidence in the system, Habeeb had permanently fixed his role in the Commission during 2007 amid the tenure of the Commissioner, late KaafDhaal Ahmed Manik.
In light of Habeeb’s protracted service to the Education industry, Zahiya Zareer, the Education Minster at the time had been reluctant to release Habeeb from the field. She had declined his initial request to permanently reposition himself in the Elections Commission. Habeeb recalls she had conceded to the development only after a call from K. D. Ahmed Manik asserting Habeeb’s service at the Commission will be impermanent.
“With this vow, I had transferred to the Elections. After that, Zahiya also departed from Education and I joined the Independent Committee after the confidence vote as well,” said Habeeb, who possesses a luminary record of 21 years of service to the Elections Commission.
During this time, Habeeb was proposed the position of the Vice Chair of Elections Commission. However, as this was an age that had not yet established independent institutions within the Constitution, the Commission was led by political members.
“Kaaf Dhaal wanted to appoint me as the Deputy Commissioner of the Election’s Commission. I shared with him that political positions did not hold much appeal to me and that I will assume the role if technical. I went as the Executive Director of the institution. After working 19 years in the Education field,” Habeeb reminisced.
After joining the commission to assume the role of Executive Director, Habeeb had proceeded to serve in the position of Director General of the Commission as well. He became a member of the Commission in the year 2013.
Evading the tides of political influences and persisting in independence at the Commission amid a time when political rivalry had escalated was not an easy feat. The circulation of rumors of political influences from various direction were surfacing during this period.
Regardless of this, Habeeb had asserted that he had proceeded devoid of any submission to such influences, maintaining that no such influences were even directed his way.
However, accusations of such conduct were directed towards Habeeb as well. With allegations of depositing USD 5 million to his wife's dollar account, he was called a thief as well. Habeeb, however, had dismissed these rumors and revealed that his wife "does not even possess a dollar account".
"No Maldivian citizen will believe that I had involved myself within any sort of bribery. I say this with 100 percent confidence," Habeeb declared.
"There are no influences from a political party. There are no influences over me."
Habeeb holds multiple reasons for asserting this bold claim with certainty. First of many is his advancement into the tenure of member of the Elections Commission with a unanimous 100 percent vote from the parliament. Following the conclusion of the tenure begun amidst former President Abdulla Yameen's administration, he had amassed another majority of the parliament to become appointed again to his second term as a member during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's tenure as well.
"Assuming the position with 100 percent of ballots, twice, I believe I had performed at the Elections Commission with integrity and with the 100 percent endorsement of the people. I had never linked myself with political parties. All political members must proudly declare and believe our honesty and integrity during the preceding ten years of my pledged service to the Elections Commission." Habeeb remarked.
He emphasized that the elections systems established throughout ages of diligence of multiple citizens is proficient and effective. Habeeb had further asserted that no coherent individual will perceive that misconduct can be observed through the EC and offered the recent presidential elections as proof of this. Regardless of the continuance of various conflicts amongst individuals, proceeding the elections with transparency is an immense satisfaction for Habeeb.
"Stepping down from the Election's Commission after nearly 20 years, I dare say with pride that with our lead, we have instilled trust in the system within the people. And this is how we will further proceed as well. I have this certainty. The entire Election's Commission holds different views. All members possess different views. Regardless, procedures of the elections will observe no difference," Habeeb assured.
"We begin counting the votes, collecting the votes, count and determine the results and announce the results as well in front of the public. Election's Commission holds the task of summing and delivering the results generated from voting centers."
Habeeb has been recognized throughout the Election's Commission as an amicable problem solver who performs well with others. He had made various attempts to resolve the recent conflict with the Chairman of the Commission risen in relation to the inception of The Democrats Party.
Election procedures is a grueling task. With the approach of an election, 24 hours need to be dedicated to the elections. Habeeb credits himself of having performed this to "utmost perfection." Responsibilities conferred to him have been fulfilled. He bestows all gratitude for his inspiring work to his beloved wife.
"I was able to give my time to the Elections and perform this due to no one other than my wife," he affirmed.
Election's Commission has expressed a specific concern on the Election's Commission and multiple other occasions; the lacking protection for members of independent institutions. While the procedures allow dismissal of members to the wishes of parliamentarians, not a single penny is received as retirement pay for members who resign after years of protracted service.
Few days preceding Habeeb's retirement from the Election's Commission after the conclusion of his two five-year terms, the Commission had established a policy to offer a bulk remuneration fund to individuals over 55 years of age who had served at least 15 years in the institution.
Due to the establishment of this issue coinciding with the end of Habeeb's term, he has been directed with criticism on various fronts. However, Habeeb has maintained that his participation was null in the formulation of this policy and revealed that he was overseas at the time of the policy's conceptualization.
"When told about the approaching implementation of this change in policy, I had opposed it and shared that I do not want such accusations to follow me with my departure. I do not want anything that will affect my integrity in any way to take place," Habeeb stated.
"A weighty accusation has been made against me the day I step out after sincerely performing my duties. That I had exited with a hefty package; I am departing with empty hands."
Habeeb recalls his persistent concerns on the absence of a retirement policy for members of independent institutions. He frames the deprivation of such a policy for individuals who have provided multiple indispensable services to the State through various industries as a tragic matter.
"I am returning home with empty hands after servicing the State for 38 years. I do not have a retirement package. I do not receive a monthly payment. There is no bulk payment I receive," Habeeb shared.
Habeeb had returned home yesterday after serving the nation for many long years together with the love and confidence of many. Upon news of his retirement from the Election's Commission, social media had flooded with words of good will and felicitation directed towards Habeeb.
"Anyone will cry from happiness with the messages I received on my phone today." Habeeb shared with pride.
Which industry will Habeeb be seen in next? Despite hearsay that he will assume a role as an ambassador of a nation, Habeeb had dismissed these rumors as baseless.
Habeeb stated that he will find it challenging to take up a political position after a lifetime of persisting without merging with a specific party.
"While I am home today after independently serving 38 years to the State without ever binding myself to a party nor assuming a political position, I ponder that I must not assume any type of employment that will affect the Elections Commission's, and my own integrity."
Habeeb revealed that he had not yet determined his next employment industry nor position and shared that the most likely prospect is assuming a role within civil service or a position within the three powers of the State.
"I am a teacher, I am a lawyer, I am a journalist, I am an administrator; therefore, I presume I will have chances of receiving employment within one these four skillsets," Habeeb assured, concluding with a smile.
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