The Maldivian government has announced an open call for applications to fill the position of Prosecutor General (PG). Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications to the President's Office on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, and Wednesday, September 11, 2024, between 08:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Application forms are available for download on the President’s Office website. The eligibility criteria for the position are as follows:

- Must be a Muslim.

- Must be a citizen of the Maldives.

- Must be at least 25 years old.

- Must not have been convicted of any offenses deemed impermissible in Islam, such as fraud or bribery, by a court of law.

- Must not hold a political office that can be elected or appointed under the Constitution or by law.

- Must not be a member of a political party or actively involved in political activities.

- Must not be employed in any other job except for the role of Prosecutor General.

- Must not have a stake or position in any company or partnership involved in judicial or legal matters.

- Must possess a first degree in law.

- Must have at least four years of experience in the field of judicial or legal work within the country.

- Must be well-educated and competent to perform the duties of the Prosecutor General.

The vacancy arises following the dismissal of former Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem, who served from December 8, 2019, to August 22, 2024. Shameem had resigned ahead of a no-confidence vote by Parliament, but the resignation letter was reportedly not received by the President’s Office in time. Consequently, the Parliament passed the no-confidence motion with a majority vote of 65-9.

According to the law, a new Prosecutor General must be appointed within 30 days of the position becoming vacant. As Parliament is currently in recess, an extraordinary session will be required to appoint Shameem’s successor.

The appointment process underscores the importance of the role in ensuring the integrity of the legal system in the Maldives.