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Maldives - Constitution

The Constitution of the Republic of Maldives provides for an executive president elected on a national level every five years. The legislature, the People’s Majlis, is also elected for a five-year term. The Majlis comprises two elected members from each administrative atoll and Malé. Where the residents registered to an administrative atoll exceed five thousand residents, one additional member is provided for each group of five thousand in excess of the first five thousand residents. All elections are run on a multiparty platform. The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary where judicial power is vested in the courts with the Supreme Court as the court of last resort.

Basic rights and freedoms, including freedom of the media, to assembly and of association are guaranteed within the Constitution as fundamental rights. Freedom of expression is also guaranteed as long as the manner of expression is not contrary to any tenet of Islam.

The Constitution provides for independent commissions and offices, with each separately mandated to defend judicial independence, conduct elections, prevent and combat corruption, promote human rights and ensure an effective and efficient civil service.