Mahaz Ali Zahir’s name has been forwarded to the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) for approval to appoint him to the Supreme Court bench.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih forwarded Zahir’s name under the powers vested in him under article 148 (a) of the Maldivian Constitution, authorizing him to appoint judges to the Supreme Court after consulting the commission and with the approval of the majority of the People's Majlis present and voting.

The deadline for nomination submissions ended at 12pm on Thursday.

The nomination was forwarded for the recently vacated post of Chief Justice, following the impeachment of Abdulla Didi.

JSC requested the parliament to impeach Justice Didi on 27 August and parliament passed the motion with 72 votes in favor on 28 August.

According to the commission’s report, Didi is guilty of accepting money from individuals involved in the MMPRC embezzlement scandal, using his position to gain undue influence, negotiating with a criminal on the release of a suspect in the case of missing journalist Ahmed Rilwan and violating judicial disciplinary regulations among many others.

On Wednesday, Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Aisha Shujoon were appointed to the Supreme Court bench after JSC approved their names in late August, and parliament approved their names at Tuesday’s sitting.

President Solih nominated Dr. Azmiralda and Shujoon after ratifying the 3rd amendment to the Judicature Act, on July 23, allowing the increase of the number of Judges residing on the Supreme Court bench from five, to seven.