The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has extended the deadline to apply for the vacancy at the Supreme Court.

The opportunity was initially opened on 21 November, following the three vacancies after the People’s Majlis passed to remove Chief Justice Dr. Abdulla Didi and Justice Adam Mohamed Abdulla on 18 November.

Further, Justice Abdulla Areef had also resigned, citing health issues.

Article 148(a) of the Constitution states that the President will appoint Supreme Court justices, after consulting the JSC and the confirmation of appointees by a majority of parliament members.

Interested individuals were to send in application via a letter before 12pm on 28 November, however, the deadline was extended by four hours and interested individuals have been given until 4pm to send in their applications.

Some of the qualifications to be appointed a Supreme Court justice include having a first degree in Islamic Sharia and law and have at least seven years of experience as a justice as well as being over 30 years of age.

The government, in cooperation with the JSC as well as the People’s Majlis is observably putting in a lot of work to resolve court issues swiftly and to reform the judiciary of the country. As such, JSC recently removed several justices following disciplinary issues lodged against them.

Supreme Court justice Abdul Ghanee was removed from his position after a 60-day suspension, with the commission launching investigations into three disciplinary issues against the justice.

Justice Abdulla Didi was also dismissed during August.

Dr. Azmiralda Zahir has been appointed the interim chief of the Supreme Court, temporarily and there are currently three justices on the bench; Dr. Azmiralda, Aisha Shujoon and recently appointed Mahaz Ali Zahir.