Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has opened opportunity to submit nominations to be appointed to the Supreme Court bench.
The announcement came following the removal of Judge Abdulla Didi from the Supreme Court. His removal from the Supreme Court makes it the first time the parliament removed a judge citing recommendations from JSC after investigations found a judge was found guilty of corruption, accepting bribes and misconduct. Nominations can be submitted by 1200 hours on September 1, according to JSC.
On August 22, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had nominated Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Aisha Shujoon Mohamed to be appointed to the Supreme Court. The president nominated two female judges after the Supreme Court bench was increased from 5 to 7 following an amendment made to the Judicature Act of Maldives.
The nominations have since been accepted by JSC and also approved by the Parliamentary Committee on Judiciary. However, the Secretariat of the Parliament has not held a vote to confirm the appointments.
Following the removal of Judge Abdulla Didi, the Supreme Court bench has been reduced to 4 and has 3 vacant positions.