The National Integrity Commission (NIC) has identified a shortage of investigators as a major challenge, saying limited staffing is slowing investigations and contributing to a backlog of cases.

Speaking at a meeting with the parliamentary committee on independent institutions on Monday, NIC Vice-Chairperson Fathimath Shareef said the commission currently had nine investigators, up from just four at the beginning of the year.

“It’s a big challenge to move cases at the pace we want,” she said.

Fathimath said the shortage had made it difficult for the commission to investigate cases efficiently, with many cases still awaiting attention. Clearing the backlog remained a priority, she added.

The NIC is an independent body mandated to investigate alleged unlawful actions and decisions by law enforcement agencies.

A report presented to the parliamentary committee showed that the number of cases submitted to the commission had increased over the past two years.

Fathimath attributed the increase partly to greater public awareness of the commission’s work. She said many people had previously been unfamiliar with the NIC and its responsibilities.

The commission was established to bring together the functions of the former Police Integrity Commission and Customs Integrity Commission, expanding its remit to cover matters involving law enforcement agencies.

Fathimath said public understanding of the NIC’s role remained limited, prompting the commission to develop a media strategy and increase the information it provides to journalists. Media briefings had been held this year, she said.

She added that greater transparency and public awareness had contributed to more complaints being submitted.

According to the NIC’s annual report presented to the committee, 87 percent of cases received or initiated by the commission concerned the police. A further 10 percent related to the Maldives Correctional Service and 1 percent to the Immigration Service, while very few cases concerned Customs.