Maldives Joint Opposition has expressed concern over the appointment of two new judges to the high court.

While the 2018 presidential elections are less than two months away, chair of Adhaalath Party's media committee Ali Nazeer noted that the high court is to handle all cases related to the elections and described the appointment of the two judges as an attempt to 'fix' the results.

Judicial Service Commission (JSC), on Sunday, decided to appoint its vice president Mohamed Faisal and Criminal Court judge Hussain Shaheed to the high court.

Nazeer said this was done so that incumbent President Abdulla Yameen can 'do whatever he wants' to influence election results.

However, he said that the ruling coalition will not win the elections, 'even by creating disorder at the high court', warning that the international community is closely monitoring the situation here.

While Nazeer noted that the international community's eyes are on Maldives, earlier in July, the Council of the European Union adopted a framework for sanctions against Maldives, which allows for the freezing of funds and economic resources of certain persons, entities and bodies responsible for serious human rights violations in the Maldives, as well as persons, entities and bodies associated with them 'if the situation [in the country] does not improve'.

Hence, Nazeer highlighted that it is only a matter of time before sanctions are imposed on Maldives officials.

In addition to Adhaalath Party, the Joint Opposition comprises of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Jumhooree Party (PPM) and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's breakaway faction of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

Speaking on behalf of the Gayoom faction, Aminath Nadhira- the deputy leader of the faction- also alleged that the appointment of Faisal and Shaheed 'is an attempt to influence the vote', highlighting that Faisal had previously served as the secretary of People's Alliance (PA), which was led by the incumbent President prior to the formation of PPM.