Government and Politics of Maldives

Government Type

republic

Administrative Divisions

19 atolls (atholhu, singular and plural) and 1 other first-order administrative division*; Alifu, Baa, Dhaalu, Faafu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Gnaviyani, Haa Alifu, Haa Dhaalu, Kaafu, Laamu, Lhaviyani, Maale*, Meemu, Noonu, Raa, Seenu, Shaviyani, Thaa, Vaavu

Legal System

based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Maldives dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: unknown

Executive Branch

chief of state: President Mohamed MUIZZU (since 17 November 2023); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mohamed MUIZZU (since 17 November 2023); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president and approved by the People's Majlis elections: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in two rounds if needed for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 9 September 2023, with a runoff held on 30 September 2023 election results: Mohamed MUIZZU elected president in runoff; percent of popular vote - Mohamed MUIZZU (PNC) 54.1%, Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH (MDP) 45.9%

Legislative Branch

unicameral People's Council or Majlis (50 seats; 42 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president; members serve five-year terms) elections: last held 22 January 2005 (next to be held NA 2010) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 50

Judicial Branch

High Court

Political Parties

political parties were allowed to register in June 2005; the first entrants are: Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Abdul Majeed Abdul BARI]; Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (Maldivian People's Party) or DRP [Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM]; Islamic Democratic Party or IDP [Omar NASEER]; Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Mohamed NASHEED]

Head of State

President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED

Head of Government

President Mohamed "Anni" NASHEED

Cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president

Elections

under the new constitution, the president is elected by direct vote; president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 8 and 28 October 2008 (next to be held in 2013)

Election Results

Mohamed NASHEED elected president; percent of vote - NASHEED 54.25%, Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 45.75%

Constitution

adopted January 1998

Independence

26 July 1965 (from UK)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 26 July (1965)

International Organization Participation

AsDB, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. Mohamed LATHEEF chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Suite 400E, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6195 FAX: [1] (212) 661-6405

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka is accredited to Maldives and makes periodic visits there

Capital City

Male

Location

4 10 N, 73 30 E

Time Difference

UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

derived from the Sanskrit word "mahaalay" meaning "big house"

U.S. Embassy Colombo, Sri Lanka 210 Galle Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka Telephone: (94) (11) 249-8500 Emergency after-hours telephone: (94)-77-725-6307 Facsimile: (94) (11) 249-8590 E-mail: colomboacs@state.gov

Military Branches

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF): Marine Corps, Security Protection Group, Coast Guard (

Service Age and Obligation

18-28 years of age for voluntary service; no conscription; 10th grade or equivalent education required; must not be a member of a political party