Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Thoriq, a PPM member, has introduced a bill to the People’s Majlis for the second time, intending to modify existing legislation to bar political figures from serving on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
In the bill submitted on Thursday, MP Thoriq emphasized that the appointment of JSC members in accordance with existing legislation has allowed the government to aggressively influence cases handled by the JSC.
Thoriq remarked that a big proportion of the populace believes that when cases brought by the government in courts are resolved against them, the judges who hand down such rulings are frightened by the submission of a misconduct case to the JSC. He also mentioned that the public has claimed that some of JSC’s decisions are written down by political figures on the commission.
While emphasizing that the law should ensure that the three branches of government can act independently and autonomously, Thoriq stated that under current regulations, the current appointments to the JSC from the executive and legislative branches are political figures. He added that things investigated and determined by the JSC with the participation of political people will be politically impacted.
He went on to say that the way the JSC is now structured makes it appear to be a weapon to defend the government and narrows the path established for judges to act and rule on topics independently.
Thoriq previously introduced a similar bill in People’s Majlis, which was defeated by the MDP majority. He proposed the formation of the JSC without the inclusion of the People’s Majlis Speaker, a member appointed by the People’s Majlis, a member appointed by the President, the Attorney General, and the President of the Civil Service Commission.
