President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has sent the amendment bill to remove two justices from the Supreme Court bench and reduce the size of the bench from seven to five members to the People's Majlis for reconsideration.
"On March 11, 2025, pursuant to Article 91(a) of the Constitution, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu returned the Fifth Amendment Bill to the Judicature Act of Maldives (Act No. 22/2010) to the People’s Majlis for reconsideration," the President's Office stated.
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However, if the People's Majlis passes the bill without any changes, the President must ratify it.
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The bill was passed by a roll call vote after three opposition MPs were forced to leave the chamber on February 26. Sixty-eight ruling party MPs voted in favour, while eight opposition MPs voted against it.
However, Hithadhoo Central MP Ahmed Azaan, from the ruling People's National Congress (PNC), did not participate in the vote because he believed the bill was "unconstitutional."
It was passed as the Supreme Court prepared to hear a constitutional case on MP disqualification at 11:00 am that day. According to parliament records, the bill was approved at 10:07 am.
Shortly afterwards, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which is under the full control of President Muizzu, suspended Supreme Court Justices Husnu Suood, Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir.
Suood later resigned in protest of government intimidation of judges and influence in connection with the constitutional case. The hearings have come to a halt since the full bench must sit for constitutional cases.
According to the bill, the JSC should determine the two judges to be removed from the court and send their names to parliament within five days of the law coming into force.
The People's Majlis must decide on the removal of the judges within seven days. Judges can be removed by a two-thirds majority of the parliament.
