Ex-pres Nasheed appointed to Judicial Service Commission

Former President Mohamed Nasheed, on Tuesday, was appointed as a member of the Judicial Service Commission ( JSC) in relation to his election as Parliament Speaker.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih presented the letter of appointment to Nasheed at the President's Office after the latter secured the position of Parliament Speaker with 67 votes.

Nasheed was sworn in by Chief Justice Dr Ahmed Abdulla.

In addition to Nasheed, Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath and Civil Service Commission's President Dr Ali Shameem were automatically granted JSC membership as per the regulations.

The remaining members of JSC are Supreme Court representative Abdulla Areef, High Court representative Abdul Rauf Ibrahim, President's representative Masthoor Husny, the Parliament's citizen representative Abdul Hannan Ahmed, Mohamed Easaafulhu who represents the Magistrate Courts, and Latheefa Gasim who was elected by the licensed lawyers of Maldives. The parliamentary representative at JSC is yet to be chosen.

Guaranteed support to the Parliament Speaker

Once Tuesday night's parliament concluded at approximately 0100 hrs, newly elected parliament speaker Nasheed visited President Solih. The visit marked the first time since the presidency of Mohamed Waheed that Nasheed has entered the President's Office.

During the meeting, President Solih congratulated Nasheed on his election as parliament speaker.

The president stated that citizens had high hopes for the 19th parliament. He also expressed confidence that the parliament would fulfil its duties swiftly, smoothly and justly under the guidance of the Parliament Speaker.

Nasheed provided assurances that he would conduct parliamentary operations justly with the cooperation of all MPs. He also expressed the need for state support in carrying out work in the manner that maximised national benefit.

President Solih guaranteed the full cooperation of the government to the Parliament speaker.

While the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) secured a parliamentary majority of 65, MDP parliamentarian Eva Abdulla, a relative of Nasheed, was elected as Deputy Parliament Speaker with 76 votes.