President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has returned the Fifth Amendment to the Judicature Act for reconsideration.
The bill, submitted to the Parliament by the ruling Peoples’ National Congress (PNC)’s Member of Parliament for Holhudhoo Constituency, sought to reduce the Supreme Court Justices from seven to five justices. The bill was approved by a roll-call vote on 26 February, with 68 members voting in its favour. Nine members voted against it.
The President’s Office said when the bill was sent to the President for ratification, the President returned it to the Parliament without ratification on 11 March, in accordance with Article 91(a) of the Constitution.
