The Parliament has voted to dismiss Supreme Court Justices Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Mahaz Ali Zahir, following a recommendation by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

The vote, held during Wednesday's sitting, saw 68 members in favor of dismissal and 11 opposing, after which Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla formally announced their removal from office.

The JSC had accused both justices of attempting to improperly influence proceedings in a lower court.

The matter was first raised on February 26, when Justices Azmiralda, Mahaz, and Husnu Al-Suood were suspended pending a misconduct investigation.

While Justice Suood later resigned in protest, the JSC proceeded with disciplinary action against the other two.

The Judiciary Committee reviewed the matter and concluded that the JSC’s decision to remove the justices was valid.

Although members of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) advocated for the justices to be given the opportunity to appear before the committee and respond to the allegations, the committee ultimately declined to summon them.

The controversy gained further attention as the suspensions coincided with a scheduled Supreme Court hearing on a petition to quash a constitutional amendment that could affect the judges’ eligibility to retain their seats. Critics, including international human rights organizations, have raised concerns over the implications of the dismissals on judicial independence in the Maldives.

The removal of Justices Azmiralda and Mahaz marks one of the most significant judicial shakeups in recent years, reigniting debate over the balance between accountability and independence within the judiciary.

The suspension of Justices Suood, Azmiralda, and Mahaz by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on February 26 occurred just under an hour before a scheduled Supreme Court hearing on a petition seeking an injunction to halt the enforcement of the controversial anti-defection clauses recently added to the Constitution.

The anti-defection clause aims to prevent elected members, such as MPs or legislators, from switching political parties or affiliations during their term in office, which is designed to safeguard political stability and prevent opportunistic shifts in allegiance.