President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has sent a list of 14 candidates to Parliament as part of the process to appoint new members to the Tax Appeal Tribunal, with the matter now formally referred to the Judiciary Committee for evaluation.
The move follows the impending expiration of the terms of five sitting tribunal members on 29 November. According to the President’s Office, applications for the positions were opened twice to attract qualified applicants, resulting in 14 individuals being shortlisted for parliamentary consideration.
The nominees forwarded to Parliament are:
Ahmed Yaameen, Shifza Abdul Gayyoom, Aishath Isha, Usama Moosa, Hassan Naasih Ahmed, Ibrahim Afeef, Hassan Zuhair Mohamed, Shaufa Ibrahim, Mohamed Waheed Ali, Mohamed Imthishal Ahmed, Aminath Shaadhiya, Ibrahim Shareef, Mohamed Ameen Zahir, and Mohamed Aban Ibrahim.
Established under the Administrative Taxation Act in 2010, the Tax Appeal Tribunal serves as the Maldives’ specialised legal body for settling disputes arising from tax assessments and decisions issued by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA). Operating much like a court, the tribunal provides taxpayers with an impartial avenue to contest rulings and seek redress.
The tribunal is structured as a five-member panel, with members appointed by Parliament to serve fixed terms. Its judgments are critical in ensuring due process, transparency, and fairness within the national tax administration framework.
With the Judiciary Committee now assessing the qualifications of the 14 nominees, Parliament will decide which candidates will fill the five upcoming vacancies and continue the tribunal’s mandate to uphold integrity within the country’s tax system.
