Maldives · Government
Government and administration in Maldives
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Head of state and government — President
- Directly elected for five years, maximum two terms.
- Executive — Cabinet
- Appointed by the President with Majlis approval.
- Legislative — People's Majlis
- Unicameral, 93 members elected by constituency.
- Judiciary — Supreme Court and lower courts
- Administered by the Department of Judicial Administration.
- Oversight — Anti-Corruption Commission, Auditor General, Human Rights Commission
- Independent constitutional bodies.
How legislation is made
Bills pass the Majlis by simple majority and go to the President, who may assent or return the bill once; a second passage requires assent. The Attorney General advises on constitutionality, and the Supreme Court may rule on it after enactment. Constitutional amendments need a two-thirds majority, and amendments to specified provisions also require a public referendum.
Enforcement institutions
- Maldives Police Service
- Civil policing, separated from the military in 2004.
- Prosecutor General's Office
- Independent constitutional prosecutor.
- Anti-Corruption Commission
- Investigates corruption in public office.
- Maldives Inland Revenue Authority
- GST, income tax and tourism taxes.
- Registrar of Companies
- Business registration under the Ministry of Economic Development.
Government bodies and regulators
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