Ex-pres Nasheed denies MDP drafts are targeted specifically

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has denied that the amendments being drafted by main ruling party , Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) are targeted at specific members of the judiciary.

Speaking at a policy workshop for the parliamentary campaign on Sunday, Nasheed revealed that several amendments related to the judicial system have been lined up for submission at the parliament.

Some of these amendments include establishing the Department of Judicial Administration as an independent institution, and granting authority to registrars of the courts to assign cases to judges.

In a Tweet published on Sunday regarding the amendments, Nasheed said the amendments are not designed to target a specific member of the judiciary. The amendments were drafted based on the experience of MDP within the last ten years, and was drafted with the best of intentions with no ulterior motives. He urged judges and attorneys to offer their assistance in passing the amendments.

According to the proposed endearments, many authorities granted to the Supreme Court will be revoked, empowering the registrars instead.

While MDP maintains the importance of the amendments, former Vice Preseident and political advisor of Jumhooree party leader, Dr. Mohamed Jameel had earlier stated that the proposed amendments are unconstitutional.

In a Tweet on Sunday, Dr. Jameel stressed that the reform of the judicial system is a priority, however, the amendments proposed by MDP violates Article 141 of the Maldivian Constitution. The article states that the judicial power is vested in Supreme Court, the High Court and such Trial Courts as established by law.

Jameel noted that the new amendments are against the protocols followed by the Supreme Courts of world super powers such as India in dealing with Suo Motu and constitutional dispute cases. Jameel had stressed the importance of strengthening the judiciary and urged to refrain from targeting specific individuals in designing amendments.

The parliament will be re-convening on 7th February.