Constitution of the Maldives

Maldives
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The Constitution of the Maldives is the supreme law of the country of Maldives. It provides the legal foundation for the existence of the Republic of Maldives, sets out the rights and duties of the citizens of Maldives, and defines the structure of the Government of the Maldives. The current Constitution of Maldives was ratified by President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom on 7 August 2008, and came into effect immediately, replacing and repealing the Constitution of 1998.

The current constitution is known by its short title, Constitution of the Republic of Maldives, 2008.

History

Sultanate and First Republic

The first written constitution of the Maldives was brought to effect in 1932,[1] by Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen III. This constitution was largely based on customs, conventions and other traditional administrative practices that had been followed for many centuries. This constitution was written on the advice on the then acting Governor of Ceylon, Bernard H. Bourdill in 1930. Soon afterwards in 1934, a second constitution was written and brought into effect. In that same year, Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen III was deposed for violating his own constitution. Under the rule of Sultan Hassan Nooraddeen II, a third constitution was written and brought into effect. on 30 January 1940, the constitutional system was deemed unnecessary and was abolished; only to be reinitiated in 1942. (5th constitution) After another constitution change in 1951, the Maldives was declared a republic in 1953.[1]

Under the rule of President Mohamed Ameen Didi, a new constitution (7th) was brought into effect. This constitution lasted only 8 months, when the republic was abolished and the country went back to a sultanate, under the rule of Sultan Muhammad Fareed Didi. This change introduced yet another constitution brought to effect on 7 March 1954. This was followed by a 9th constitution in 1964 and another in 1967.[1]

Second Republic

After the second republic was declared, new president Ibrahim Nasir ratified a new constitution on 11 November 1968. This constitution was amended thrice, in 1970, 1972 and 1975 respectively.[1]

Under the rule of president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, a 12th constitution was introduced in 1998. The government proclaimed that this change was brought to encourage the people of the country to live in friendship, amity and co-operation, and to encourage good deeds and respect among one another and being just, and to live in equality and fraternity.[2]

In June 2008, an assembly, called the "Special Majlis", completed a new constitution.[3] It was ratified by the president on 7 August 2008. This constitution was written over a period of 4 years, started in 2003 when President Gayyoom promised a new 'modern, multi-party and democratic system' in the country following the 2003 Maldives civil unrest and others that followed.[4] This new constitution includes a judiciary run by an independent commission, and independent commissions to oversee elections and fight corruption. It also reduces the executive powers vested under the president and strengthens the parliament. Among other changes, it states that "a non-Muslim may not become a citizen of the Maldives".[5]

Features

The constitution consists of a preamble, fourteen chapters followed by three schedules. Each chapter and schedule focus on a specific topic. The following is a list of chapters and schedules and the focus of each.

Chapters

Schedules

Amendments

As of July 2015, there has been 1 amendment made to the Constitution of the Maldives, since it was enacted in 2008.

No. Amendments Enforced since Objectives
1 Amend article 109. 25 June 2015 [6] To change the age criterion for a person to be qualified for election as President, to a minimum 30 years old, and a maximum 65 years old. [7][8]

Previous Constitutions

[1]

No. Constitution Date ratified Date abolished Head of Government Amendments Notes
1Constitution of the Maldives, 1932 22-12-193205-07-1934Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen IIIN/AFirst constitution.
2Constitution of the Maldives, 1934 05-07-193428-01-1937Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen III 16-07-1936To meet growing public demands.
3Constitution of the Maldives, 1937 28-01-193730-01-1940Sultan Hassan Nooraddeen II - Amending entire 2nd constitution.
4Constitution of the Maldives, 1942 23-04-194231-05-1951Sultan Hassan Nooraddeen II Yes Reinitiated constitutional system.
5Constitution of the Maldives, 1942 31-05-19511953 Sultan Hassan Nooraddeen II -
6Constitution of the Republic of Maldives, 1954 1953 31-01-1954President Mohamed Amin Didi -
7Constitution of the Maldives, 1954 07-03-195414-06-1964 Sultan Muhammad Fareed Didi -
8Constitution of the Maldives, 1964 14-06-196410-06-1967 Sultan Muhammad Fareed Didi - Major amend.
9Constitution of the Maldives, 1967 10-07-196711-11-1968 Sultan Muhammad Fareed Didi - Major amend.
10Constitution of the Republic of Maldives, 1968 11-11-196827-11-1998 President Ibrahim Nasir 23-04-1970
02-02-1972
15-04-1975
11Constitution of the Republic of Maldives, 1997 27-11-199707-08-2008 President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom 1

See also

References

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