The names of the five individuals that applied to represent the general public at the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), have been forwarded to the judiciary committee for further review.

The parliament opened up opportunity to apply for the seat on February 18, and five individuals applied.

They are; Aminath Ummu Kulsoom, Ali Mohamed Manik, Adam Migdhadh, Ahmed Mizmaad and Ahmed Naseer.

Speaker, former President Mohamed Nasheed had requested the committee to complete the review “at the earliest”.

According to the Constitution, JSC “shall consist of; the Speaker of the People’s Majlis, a Judge of the Supreme Court other than the Chief Justice, elected by the Judges of the Supreme Court, a Judge of the High Court, elected by the Judges of the High Court, a Judge of the Trial Courts, elected by the Judges of the Trial Court, a member of the People’s Majlis appointed by it, a member of the general public appointed by the People’s Majlis, the Chair of the Civil Service Commission, a person appointed by the President, the Attorney General and a lawyer elected from among the lawyers licensed to practice in the Maldives by themselves.”

While opportunity to apply for the seat was opened during the last session, it remained vacant as none of the individuals that applied received parliament approval; it is the only vacant seat at JSC.