Former High Court judge Ali Sameer and sitting High Court judge Abdul Rauf Ibrahim have submitted applications for a vacancy on the Supreme Court.

Judicial Service Commission (JSC) opened applications for the position last week following the announcement that Supreme Court Justice Ali Rasheed Hussain will retire in December.

The application deadline expired today, with Sameer and Rauf being the two candidates who applied for the post.

The appointment process requires the President to submit a nominee to Parliament following a recommendation by the JSC.

Sameer served as a High Court judge from 2011 until April 2022, when he resigned. He subsequently served as Deputy Prosecutor General. Before his appointment to the High Court, he was Chief Judge of the Civil Court.

Rauf also served as a High Court judge from 2011 until May 2022. He resigned from the bench before being reappointed as a High Court judge earlier this year.