The names of two nominees to the Supreme Court bench have been forwarded for committee review.

It was forwarded to judiciary committee at Monday's sitting.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih forwarded the names of Criminal Court Judge Ali Rasheed Hussain and Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim for parliamentary consideration on August 19, under the powers vested in him as per Article 148 of the Maldives' Constitution which states that the President as the Head of State “shall appoint the Judges of the Supreme Court, after consulting the Judicial Service Commission and confirmation of the appointees by a majority of the members of the People’s Majlis present and voting.”

Judge Rasheed took over the responsibilities of running the Criminal Court temporarily, during November 2019 following JSC’s decision to suspend then-Chief Judge Ahmed Hailam from the post; Hailam resigned in December 2019 following Majlis’ judiciary committee’s decision to dismiss him.

The opportunity to apply for the Supreme Court bench was opened earlier this month after two seats at the seven-member bench became vacant.

The Supreme Court bench currently consists of Chief Justice Ahmed Muthasim Adnan as well as Justices Dr. Azmiralda Zahir, Dr. Aisha Shujoon Mohamed, Husnu Al Suood and Mahaz Ali Zahir.