Justices' dismissal: JP leader, Qasim, abstains from vote
While two separates were taken to dismiss Chief Justice Ahmed Abdulla Didi and Justice Adam Mohamed Abdulla on Monday, 69 lawmakers had voted in favour in their dismissals
Qasim Ibrahim
One of the leaders of the ruling coalition, Maamigili constituency MP Qasim Ibrahim had abstained from the votes taken to dismiss two Supreme Court justices.
While two separates were taken to dismiss Chief Justice Ahmed Abdulla Didi and Justice Adam Mohamed Abdulla, 69 lawmakers had voted in favour in their dismissals.
All ruling coalition lawmakers that took part in the votes were in favour of their removal, except for the Jumhooree Party (JP) leader. Other JP representatives had vote to dismiss them.
While reforming the country’s judiciary is a key pledge of the current administration, JP is part of the coalition.
Out of the seven independent lawmakers currently in parliament, five voted to impeach the justices; they are; Villimalé constituency MP Ahmed Usham, Nolhivaram constituency MP Mohamed Nasheed Abdulla, Thulusdhoo constituency MP Ibrahim Naseem, Nilandhoo constituency MP Abdul Muhsin Hameed and Villingilli constituency MP Saud Hussain.
Independent members, Faresmaathodaa constituency MP Hussain Mohamed Latheef and Kaashidhoo constituency MP Abdulla Jabir did not take part in the vote, despite being present at the sitting.
All eight lawmakers from the opposition progressive coalition voted against the motion, while Maldivian Development Alliance (MDA) leader and Meedhoo constituency MP Ahmed “Sun” Siyam did not attend the sitting. However, MDA representative and Kudahuvadhoo constituency MP Ahmed Amir also voted against the justices’ dismissal.
JSC made the decision to remove the two justices at a meeting on Wednesday, as well as to give them a 60-day suspension, after completing investigations into disciplinary issues against the justices.
As such, the commission said that the investigation into the respective complaints against the justices showed that their actions were against the judges’ code of conduct, and against Article 154 (b) of the Constitution.
While Article 154 (b) allows judges to be removed through parliament if found to be guilty of gross misconduct, JSC made the decision to submit the motion to parliament under the powers granted to it through the JSC Act.
Judges can only be removed if two-thirds majority of the People’s Majlis members present and voting support the resolution.
