Former Supreme Court Judge Husnu al Suood Returns to Top Court as Lawyer in Election Appeal

Former Supreme Court judge Husnu al Suood appeared before the Supreme Court on Thursday as a lawyer, marking his first return to the country’s highest court more than a year after resigning from the bench in protest. 

Suood represented a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate in an election-related appeal concerning the M. Veyvah council member seat, which is currently under review by the Supreme Court. The case stems from a High Court ruling that invalidated three ballot papers cast in the recent council election after dots were found on the ballots. The Supreme Court is hearing an appeal of that decision.

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Suood’s appearance marks his first known participation in Supreme Court proceedings since resigning as a judge on 4 March last year.

At the time, Suood resigned amid controversy surrounding a constitutional challenge to amendments that allow members of parliament to lose their seats if they resign from, or are expelled by, the political party under which they were elected.

In his resignation letter, Suood alleged that the government was exerting influence over the Supreme Court and claimed judges were facing pressure after the court decided it had jurisdiction to hear challenges against the anti-defection law.

He also criticised a parliamentary move to reduce the number of Supreme Court judges from seven to five, arguing that the measure came after the court agreed to review the legislation.