Lawyer Ali Hussain has called on the government not to encroach on the independence of the Supreme Court after the court scheduled a case to quash the constitutional amendment that would disqualify MPs for switching parties.
"I call on the government not to use its undue influence and power to encroach on the independence and autonomy of the Supreme Court," the former MP for Kendhoo wrote in a short post on X.
This comes amid concerns that the government is influencing the courts. But President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu insists his government would not influence the courts.
The constitutional case to revoke the amendments to Article 73 of the Constitution has been scheduled for 11:00 am on February 17. The case will be heard by a seven-judge bench. Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan will preside over the hearing.
Last year, a subsection (e) was added to Article 73 of the Constitution, specifying new conditions for the removal of MPs.
With the new amendments, MPs will lose their seat if they defect from the political party under whose ticket they were elected, join a political party after being elected as an independent candidate, or voluntarily leave or are expelled from their political party while in office.
In his case submitted to the top court, Ali Hussain argued that the amendments were unconstitutional as they contravened the basic principles in Articles 4, 8, 5, 26, 75 and 90 of the Constitution.
Many legal experts and civil society organizations have expressed concern over the amendments rushed through the government-controlled Parliament. The constitution was changed within a few hours with the votes of 78 MPs.
