Committee approves judges panel reduction bill

The Judiciary Committee of the Parliament on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, has approved the bill on reducing the judges panel of the Supreme Court from seven to five justices.

The bill, endorsed by the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) at Tuesday's parliamentary sitting, was accepted with 64 votes and subsequently sent for committee review.

During the committee's meeting, Kendhoo MP from Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Mauroof Zakir requested a deadline of April 25, 2025 as for the final decision on the bill.

The other MDP member in the committee, South-Hithadhoo MP Ibrahim Nazil supported.

This was however, countered by ruling party's member at the committee, Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid, who suggested to conclude the review on the bill on Tuesday itself.

"This is not the first time we have attempted this. There have been multiple occasions in the past where such matters were expeditiously completed," he commented.

North-Feydhoo MP, who also hails from PNC, Ismail Nizar supported this.