The administrative oversight of the judiciary should be transferred from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to a specialised Judicial Council to significantly enhance the operational efficacy of the courts, according to Hussain Riza Adam, the former president of the commission and current Member of Parliament for Maafushi.
Speaking on the PSM News programme, Riza highlighted that the judiciary functions in a manner fundamentally distinct from other administrative sectors, necessitating the direct involvement of judges.
Riza noted that the current commission is predominantly composed of individuals from outside the judicial branch, arguing that "should the judicial sector transition under the purview of the Judicial Council, the body would be composed exclusively of judicial officials." He stated that the "inclusion of Supreme Court justices, senior judges, the Chief Justice, as well as appointed representatives from various lower and magistrate courts, would ultimately provide a much greater benefit to the system."
This push aligns with a campaign pledge by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to ensure genuine judicial independence. During a recent briefing, President Muizzu announced intentions to reestablish the Judicial Council, originally created under the 2010 Judicature Act, to eliminate political interference.
"Implementing the necessary legislative amendments to reinstate the Judicial Council, alongside transitioning the Department of Judicial Administration into an entity accountable to the Chief Justice and the council, is a fundamental priority," President Muizzu said. To support these changes, the government has allocated a dedicated block grant of USD 52.39 million in the current annual budget.