Former President Mohamed Nasheed has called for systemic changes to prevent the replacement of judges with each new government, criticizing the current practice as a major threat to judicial independence.
In a post on X, Nasheed said the repeated removal and appointment of judges following presidential elections is not what the Constitution intended. He argued that the Maldives now operates under a presidency that resembles a monarchy more than a democratic system.
Nasheed pointed out that since the introduction of the 2008 Constitution, the Supreme Court has been reshaped following every presidential election in 2013, 2018, and 2023. He said this ongoing trend is deeply problematic and called for reforms to ensure judicial appointments are protected from political influence.
His remarks come on the same day Parliament voted to impeach two Supreme Court justices — Mahaaz Ali Zahir and Azmiralda Zahir — further fueling debate over the politicization of the judiciary.
In a post on X, Nasheed said the repeated removal and appointment of judges following presidential elections is not what the Constitution intended. He argued that the Maldives now operates under a presidency that resembles a monarchy more than a democratic system.
Nasheed pointed out that since the introduction of the 2008 Constitution, the Supreme Court has been reshaped following every presidential election in 2013, 2018, and 2023. He said this ongoing trend is deeply problematic and called for reforms to ensure judicial appointments are protected from political influence.
His remarks come on the same day Parliament voted to impeach two Supreme Court justices — Mahaaz Ali Zahir and Azmiralda Zahir — further fueling debate over the politicization of the judiciary.
