#	Section
1	Constitution
2	Republic of the Maldives
3	Territory of the Maldives
4	Powers of the citizens
5	Legislative power
6	Executive power
7	Judicial power
8	Supremacy of Constitution
9	Citizens
10	State Religion
11	National Flag
13	Currency of the Maldives
14	Capital
15	National Day
16	Guarantee of Rights
17	Non-discrimination
18	Duty of the State
19	Freedom from restraint
20	Equality
21	Right to life
22	Protection of the environment
23	Economic and social rights
24	Privacy
25	No slavery or forced labour
26	Right to vote and run for public office
27	Freedom of expression
28	Freedom of the media
29	Freedom of acquiring and imparting knowledge
30	Freedom to form political parties, associations and societies
31	Right to strike
32	Freedom of assembly
33	Right to protect reputation and name
34	Right to marry and establishment of the family
35	Special protection to children, young, elderly and
36	Right to education
37	Right to work
38	Right of pension
39	Right to participate in cultural life
40	Right to acquire and hold property
41	Freedom of movement and establishment
42	Fair and transparent hearings
43	Fair administrative action
44	Personal liability
45	No unlawful arrest or detention
46	Power of arrest and detention
47	Search and seizure
48	Rights on arrest or detention
49	Release of accused
50	Prompt investigation and prosecution
51	Rights of the accused
52	Confessions and illegal evidence
53	Assistance of legal counsel
54	No degrading treatment or torture
55	No imprisonment for non-fulfilment of contractual obligation
56	Right to appeal
57	Humane treatment of arrested or detained persons
58	Compensation
59	Retrospective legislation
60	Prohibition of double jeopardy
61	Publication of acts and regulations
62	Retention of other rights
63	Voidance of laws inconsistent with fundamental rights
64	Non-compliance with unlawful orders
65	Application to court to obtain a remedy
66	Voidance of laws inconsistent with rights and freedoms
67	Responsibilities and duties
68	Interpretation
69	Non-destructive interpretation of Constitution
70	Legislative authority
71	Determination of the composition of the People’s Majlis
72	Election of members
73	Qualifications of members
74	Court jurisdiction
75	Function of members
76	Declaration of assets
77	Resignation
78	Filling vacancy
79	Term of the People’s Majlis
80	Extension of term of the People’s Majlis
81	Oath of office of members of the People’s Majlis
82	Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis
83	Sittings of the People’s Majlis
84	Presidential address
85	Proceedings open to the public
86	Quorum
87	Voting
88	Regulation of procedure
89	Publication of proceedings of the People’s Majlis
90	Privilege
91	Presidential assent or return for reconsideration
92	Publication of laws in the Government Gazette
93	Treaties
94	Delegation of power to make regulations and orders with lawful authority
95	Reference to Supreme Court
96	Annual budget
97	Taxation and expenditures
98	Questioning of Ministers and members of the Government
99	Summoning persons
100	Removal of President or Vice President
101	Vote of "no confidence in a member of the Cabinet"
102	Salary and allowances
103	Improper benefit
104	Secretary General
105	Security
106	Executive power
107	Term of office
108	Manner of Presidential election
109	Qualifications for election as President
110	Election
111	Presidential election
112	Vice President
113	Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court
114	Oath of office of the President and Vice President
115	Powers and responsibilities of the President
116	Government Ministries
117	Responsibilities of the Vice President
118	Salary and allowances
119	Restrictions
120	Declaration of assets
121	Resignation
122	Vacancy of office of Vice President
123	Temporary inability of the President to perform his responsibilities
124	Temporary incapacity to carry out duties
125	Presidential elections on the vacancy of the office of President and Vice President
126	Oath of office by persons temporarily discharging the duties of the office of President and Vice President
127	Criminal accountability
128	Immunity to a person who has served as the President
129	Cabinet of Ministers
130	Qualifications of Ministers
131	Oath of office
132	Responsibilities of the Cabinet
133	Attorney General
134	Accountability and responsibility of the Cabinet
135	Salary and allowances
136	Restrictions on cabinet members
137	Dismissal
138	Declaration of assets
139	Resignation
140	A minister to be responsible for each government authority
141	Judiciary
142	Compliance with law
143	Jurisdiction of the courts
144	Powers in constitutional matters
145	Supreme Court
146	High Court
147	Appointment of the Chief Justice
148	Appointment of Judges
149	Qualifications of Judges
150	Oath of office of Judges
151	Full time performance
152	Salary and allowances
153	Declaration of assets
154	Tenure and removal
155	Power to determine the jurisdiction of courts and to enact administrative laws relating to the courts
156	Administration of the courts
229	Oath of office
157	Judicial Service Commission
158	Composition of the Judicial Service Commission
159	Responsibilities and powers
160	Constituting the Judicial Service Commission
161	Term of office of members of the Judicial Service Commission
162	Resignation from membership of the Judicial Service Commission
163	Quorum and voting
164	Salary and allowances
165	Removal from office
166	Oath of office
167	Elections Commission
168	Appointment and composition of the Elections Commission
169	Qualifications
170	Responsibilities and powers
171	Voting and recording of results
172	Elections petitions
173	Term of office of members of the Elections Commission
174	Resignation from membership of the Elections Commission
175	Quorum and voting
176	Salary and allowances
177	Removal from office
178	Oath of office
179	Civil Service Commission
180	Appointment and composition of the Civil Service Commission
181	Qualifications
182	Responsibilities and powers
183	Term of office of members of the Civil Service Commission
184	Resignation from membership of the Civil Service Commission
185	Quorum and voting
186	Salary and allowances
187	Removal from office
188	Oath of office
189	Human Rights Commission
190	Appointment and composition of the Human Rights Commission
191	Qualifications
192	Responsibilities and powers
193	Term of office of members of the Human Rights Commission
194	Resignation from membership of the Human Rights Commission
195	Quorum and voting
196	Salary and allowances
197	Removal from office
198	Oath of office
199	Anti-Corruption Commission
200	Appointment and composition of the Anti-Corruption Commission
201	Qualifications
202	Responsibilities and powers
203	Term of office of members of the Anti-Corruption Commission
204	Resignation from the Anti-Corruption Commission
205	Quorum and voting
206	Salary and allowances
207	Removal from office
208	Oath of office
209	Auditor General
210	Appointment of Auditor General
211	Qualifications of Auditor General
212	Responsibilities and powers
213	Reporting
214	Audit of the Auditor General’s office
215	Term of office of the Auditor General
216	Resignation of Auditor General
217	Salary and allowances
218	Removal from office
219	Oath of office
220	Prosecutor General
221	Appointment of the Prosecutor General
222	Qualifications of Prosecutor General
223	Responsibilities and powers of the Prosecutor General
224	Acting through agents
225	Term of office of the Prosecutor General
226	Resignation of Prosecutor General
227	Salary and allowances
228	Removal from office
230	Decentralised administration
231	Election of Councils
232	Responsibilities
233	Authority to enact subordinate legislation
234	Finance
235	Ownership of property and liability for debts
236	Security services
237	Responsibilities and duties
238	Constitutional limitations
239	Authority of the People’s Majlis over the security services
240	Separate services
241	Multiparty committee of the People’s Majlis
242	Ministerial Responsibility
243	Military Service
244	Police Service
245	Illegal orders and non-compliance
246	Equal treatment
247	Property and assets owned and acquired by the State
248	Land, sea and naturally occurring valuable resources
249	Ownerless property
250	Transactions relating to State property
251	Prohibition of foreign ownership and foreign military purposes
252	Legal actions in the name of the State
253	Declaration of a state of emergency
254	Content of the declaration
255	Limitations of the declaration
256	Publication
257	Submission of declaration to the Peoples Majlis
258	Determination of disputes relating to the declaration
259	Expiry or revocation of declaration
260	Public announcement of expiry of state of emergency
261	Amendment of the Constitution
262	Assent of President
263	Publication in Government Gazette
264	Non-assent by President and national referendum
265	Defeat of Bill
266	Provisions included in Bill
267	No amendment during emergency
268	Supremacy of the Constitution
269	Continuance of laws in force
270	Continued effect of repealed laws
271	Regulations enacted under authority of Statute
272	Ascertainment of time
273	Headings
274	Definitions
275	Application of this Chapter
276	Elections Commission
277	Vacancy in Elections Commission
278	Qualifications of members of the Elections Commission
279	Responsibilities of the Elections Commission
280	Term of Elections Commission
281	Judicial Service Commission
282	Supreme Court
283	Appointment of Judges to the Supreme Court
284	Term of Supreme Court
285	Continuation of Judges
286	Other courts
287	Jurisdiction of the courts
288	Prosecutor General
289	Anti-Corruption Commission
290	Independent Commissions
291	Continuance of laws
292	No amendment to the Constitution
293	Commencement of this Constitution
294	Continuance of the People’s Majlis
295	Responsibilities and powers of the People’s Majlis
296	Election of the People’s Majlis
297	Continuance of other posts and institutions
298	Decentralised administration
299	Obedience to the Constitution
300	Continuation in office of the President and the Cabinet of Ministers
301	Presidential election
302	Project rights for projects that satisfy conditions

Constitution of the Republic of Maldives (Unofficial)

Interpretation

Law number:: 2008
Published date:: 07/08/08
Effective date:: 07/08/08

Annexes (3)

Chapter 1: STATE, SOVEREIGNTY AND CITIZENS

1. Constitution

2. Republic of the Maldives

3. Territory of the Maldives

4. Powers of the citizens

5. Legislative power

6. Executive power

7. Judicial power

8. Supremacy of Constitution

9. Citizens

10. State Religion

11. National Flag

13. Currency of the Maldives

14. Capital

15. National Day

Chapter 2: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

16. Guarantee of Rights

17. Non-discrimination

18. Duty of the State

19. Freedom from restraint

20. Equality

21. Right to life

22. Protection of the environment

23. Economic and social rights

24. Privacy

25. No slavery or forced labour

26. Right to vote and run for public office

27. Freedom of expression

28. Freedom of the media

29. Freedom of acquiring and imparting knowledge

30. Freedom to form political parties, associations and societies

31. Right to strike

32. Freedom of assembly

33. Right to protect reputation and name

34. Right to marry and establishment of the family

35. Special protection to children, young, elderly and

36. Right to education

37. Right to work

38. Right of pension

39. Right to participate in cultural life

40. Right to acquire and hold property

41. Freedom of movement and establishment

42. Fair and transparent hearings

43. Fair administrative action

44. Personal liability

45. No unlawful arrest or detention

46. Power of arrest and detention

47. Search and seizure

48. Rights on arrest or detention

49. Release of accused

50. Prompt investigation and prosecution

51. Rights of the accused

52. Confessions and illegal evidence

53. Assistance of legal counsel

54. No degrading treatment or torture

55. No imprisonment for non-fulfilment of contractual obligation

56. Right to appeal

57. Humane treatment of arrested or detained persons

58. Compensation

59. Retrospective legislation

60. Prohibition of double jeopardy

61. Publication of acts and regulations

62. Retention of other rights

63. Voidance of laws inconsistent with fundamental rights

64. Non-compliance with unlawful orders

65. Application to court to obtain a remedy

66. Voidance of laws inconsistent with rights and freedoms

67. Responsibilities and duties

68. Interpretation

69. Non-destructive interpretation of Constitution

Chapter 3: THE PEOPLE’S MAJLIS

70. Legislative authority

71. Determination of the composition of the People’s Majlis

72. Election of members

73. Qualifications of members

74. Court jurisdiction

75. Function of members

76. Declaration of assets

77. Resignation

78. Filling vacancy

79. Term of the People’s Majlis

80. Extension of term of the People’s Majlis

81. Oath of office of members of the People’s Majlis

82. Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis

83. Sittings of the People’s Majlis

84. Presidential address

85. Proceedings open to the public

86. Quorum

87. Voting

88. Regulation of procedure

89. Publication of proceedings of the People’s Majlis

90. Privilege

91. Presidential assent or return for reconsideration

92. Publication of laws in the Government Gazette

93. Treaties

94. Delegation of power to make regulations and orders with lawful authority

95. Reference to Supreme Court

96. Annual budget

97. Taxation and expenditures

98. Questioning of Ministers and members of the Government

99. Summoning persons

100. Removal of President or Vice President

101. Vote of "no confidence in a member of the Cabinet"

102. Salary and allowances

103. Improper benefit

104. Secretary General

105. Security

Chapter 4: THE PRESIDENT

106. Executive power

107. Term of office

108. Manner of Presidential election

109. Qualifications for election as President

110. Election

111. Presidential election

112. Vice President

113. Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court

114. Oath of office of the President and Vice President

115. Powers and responsibilities of the President

116. Government Ministries

117. Responsibilities of the Vice President

118. Salary and allowances

119. Restrictions

120. Declaration of assets

121. Resignation

122. Vacancy of office of Vice President

123. Temporary inability of the President to perform his responsibilities

124. Temporary incapacity to carry out duties

125. Presidential elections on the vacancy of the office of President and Vice President

126. Oath of office by persons temporarily discharging the duties of the office of President and Vice President

127. Criminal accountability

128. Immunity to a person who has served as the President

Chapter 5: THE CABINET OF MINISTERS

129. Cabinet of Ministers

130. Qualifications of Ministers

131. Oath of office

132. Responsibilities of the Cabinet

133. Attorney General

134. Accountability and responsibility of the Cabinet

135. Salary and allowances

136. Restrictions on cabinet members

137. Dismissal

138. Declaration of assets

139. Resignation

140. A minister to be responsible for each government authority

Chapter 6: THE JUDICIARY

141. Judiciary

142. Compliance with law

143. Jurisdiction of the courts

144. Powers in constitutional matters

145. Supreme Court

146. High Court

147. Appointment of the Chief Justice

148. Appointment of Judges

149. Qualifications of Judges

150. Oath of office of Judges

151. Full time performance

152. Salary and allowances

153. Declaration of assets

154. Tenure and removal

155. Power to determine the jurisdiction of courts and to enact administrative laws relating to the courts

156. Administration of the courts

229. Oath of office

Chapter 7: INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONS AND OFFICES JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION

157. Judicial Service Commission

158. Composition of the Judicial Service Commission

159. Responsibilities and powers

160. Constituting the Judicial Service Commission

161. Term of office of members of the Judicial Service Commission

162. Resignation from membership of the Judicial Service Commission

163. Quorum and voting

164. Salary and allowances

165. Removal from office

166. Oath of office

167. Elections Commission

168. Appointment and composition of the Elections Commission

169. Qualifications

170. Responsibilities and powers

171. Voting and recording of results

172. Elections petitions

173. Term of office of members of the Elections Commission

174. Resignation from membership of the Elections Commission

175. Quorum and voting

176. Salary and allowances

177. Removal from office

178. Oath of office

179. Civil Service Commission

180. Appointment and composition of the Civil Service Commission

181. Qualifications

182. Responsibilities and powers

183. Term of office of members of the Civil Service Commission

184. Resignation from membership of the Civil Service Commission

185. Quorum and voting

186. Salary and allowances

187. Removal from office

188. Oath of office

189. Human Rights Commission

190. Appointment and composition of the Human Rights Commission

191. Qualifications

192. Responsibilities and powers

193. Term of office of members of the Human Rights Commission

194. Resignation from membership of the Human Rights Commission

195. Quorum and voting

196. Salary and allowances

197. Removal from office

198. Oath of office

199. Anti-Corruption Commission

200. Appointment and composition of the Anti-Corruption Commission

201. Qualifications

202. Responsibilities and powers

203. Term of office of members of the Anti-Corruption Commission

204. Resignation from the Anti-Corruption Commission

205. Quorum and voting

206. Salary and allowances

207. Removal from office

208. Oath of office

209. Auditor General

210. Appointment of Auditor General

211. Qualifications of Auditor General

212. Responsibilities and powers

213. Reporting

214. Audit of the Auditor General’s office

215. Term of office of the Auditor General

216. Resignation of Auditor General

217. Salary and allowances

218. Removal from office

219. Oath of office

220. Prosecutor General

221. Appointment of the Prosecutor General

222. Qualifications of Prosecutor General

223. Responsibilities and powers of the Prosecutor General

224. Acting through agents

225. Term of office of the Prosecutor General

226. Resignation of Prosecutor General

227. Salary and allowances

228. Removal from office

Chapter 8: DECENTRALISED ADMINISTRATION

230. Decentralised administration

231. Election of Councils

232. Responsibilities

233. Authority to enact subordinate legislation

234. Finance

235. Ownership of property and liability for debts

Chapter 9: SECURITY SERVICES

236. Security services

237. Responsibilities and duties

238. Constitutional limitations

239. Authority of the People’s Majlis over the security services

240. Separate services

241. Multiparty committee of the People’s Majlis

242. Ministerial Responsibility

243. Military Service

244. Police Service

245. Illegal orders and non-compliance

246. Equal treatment

Chapter 10: PROPERTY, LIABILITIES AND LEGAL ACTIONS OF THE STATE

247. Property and assets owned and acquired by the State

248. Land, sea and naturally occurring valuable resources

249. Ownerless property

250. Transactions relating to State property

251. Prohibition of foreign ownership and foreign military purposes

252. Legal actions in the name of the State

Chapter 11: STATE OF EMERGENCY

253. Declaration of a state of emergency

254. Content of the declaration

255. Limitations of the declaration

256. Publication

257. Submission of declaration to the Peoples Majlis

258. Determination of disputes relating to the declaration

259. Expiry or revocation of declaration

260. Public announcement of expiry of state of emergency

Chapter 12: AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION

261. Amendment of the Constitution

262. Assent of President

263. Publication in Government Gazette

264. Non-assent by President and national referendum

265. Defeat of Bill

266. Provisions included in Bill

267. No amendment during emergency

Chapter 13: APPLICATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE CONSTITUTION

268. Supremacy of the Constitution

269. Continuance of laws in force

270. Continued effect of repealed laws

271. Regulations enacted under authority of Statute

272. Ascertainment of time

273. Headings

274. Definitions

Chapter 14: TRANSITIONAL MATTERS

275. Application of this Chapter

276. Elections Commission

277. Vacancy in Elections Commission

278. Qualifications of members of the Elections Commission

279. Responsibilities of the Elections Commission

280. Term of Elections Commission

281. Judicial Service Commission

282. Supreme Court

283. Appointment of Judges to the Supreme Court

284. Term of Supreme Court

285. Continuation of Judges

286. Other courts

287. Jurisdiction of the courts

288. Prosecutor General

289. Anti-Corruption Commission

290. Independent Commissions

291. Continuance of laws

292. No amendment to the Constitution

293. Commencement of this Constitution

294. Continuance of the People’s Majlis

295. Responsibilities and powers of the People’s Majlis

296. Election of the People’s Majlis

297. Continuance of other posts and institutions

298. Decentralised administration

299. Obedience to the Constitution

300. Continuation in office of the President and the Cabinet of Ministers

301. Presidential election

Chapter 15: FREEHOLD OWNERSHIP OF LAND FOR PROJECTS SATISFYING CONDITIONS

302. Project rights for projects that satisfy conditions

Annexes

SCHEDULE 1

OATHS OF OFFICE

1. OATH OF OFFICE OF PRESIDENT

I, …(name of person)…, do swear in the name of Almighty Allah that I will respect the religion of Islam, that I will uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives and the fundamental rights of the Maldivian citizens, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic of Maldives, and will discharge the duties and responsibilities of the office of President honestly and faithfully in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Maldives.

2. OATH OF OFFICE OF VICE PRESIDENT

I, …(name of person)…, do swear in the name of Almighty Allah that I will respect the religion of Islam, that I will uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives and the fundamental rights of the Maldivian citizens, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic of Maldives, and will discharge the duties and responsibilities of the office of Vice President honestly and faithfully in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Maldives.

3. OATH OF OFFICE OF MEMBERS OF THE CABINET

I, …(name of person)…, do swear in the name of Almighty Allah that I will respect the religion of Islam, that I will uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives and the fundamental rights of the Maldivian citizens, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic of Maldives, and will discharge the duties and responsibilities entrusted to me by the President and my duties and responsibilities as Cabinet Minister/ Attorney General honestly and faithfully in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Maldives.

4. OATH OF OFFICE OF MEMBERS OF THE PEOPLE’S MAJLIS

I, …(name of person)…, do swear in the name of Almighty Allah that I will respect the religion of Islam, that I will uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives and the fundamental rights of the Maldivian citizens, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic of Maldives, and will discharge my duties and responsibilities as a member of the People’s Majlis honestly and faithfully in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Maldives.

5. OATH OF OFFICE OF CHIEF JUSTICE AND JUDGES

I, …(name of person)…, do swear in the name of Almighty Allah that I will respect the religion of Islam, that I will uphold the Constitution and the laws of the Republic of Maldives, that I will uphold the fundamental rights of the Maldivian citizens and will discharge the duties and responsibilities of Chief Justice/ Judge honestly and faithfully in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Maldives.

6. OATH OF OFFICE OF MEMBERS OF INDEPENDENT COMMISSIONS AND INDEPENDENT OFFICES

I, …(name of person)…, do swear in the name of Almighty Allah that I will respect the religion of Islam, that I will uphold the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Maldives, that I will uphold the fundamental rights of the Maldivian citizens and will discharge the duties and responsibilities of Auditor General/Prosecutor General/ membership of the Elections Commission/ membership of the Judicial Service Commission/ membership of the Human Rights Commission/ membership of the Civil Service Commission/ membership of the Anti-Corruption Commission honestly and faithfully in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Maldives.

SCHEDULE 2

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

Male’ (including Villingilli and Hulhumale’)

HA	Thiladhunmathi Uthuruburi
HDh	Thiladhunmathi Dhekunuburi
Sh	Sh Miladhunmadhulu Uthuruburi
N	Miladhunmadhulu Dhekunuburi
R	Maalhosmadhulu Uthuruburi
B	Maalhosmadhulu Dhekunuburi
Lh	Faadhippolhu
K	Male’ Atoll
AA	Ari Atoll Uthuruburi
ADh	Ari Atoll Dhekunuburi
V	Felidhe Atoll
M	Mulakatoll
F	Nilandhe Atholhu Uthuruburi
Dh	Nilandhe Atholhu Dhekunuburi
Th	Kolhumadulu
L	Haddhunmathi
GA	Huvadhu Atholhu Uthuruburi
GDh	Huvadhu Atholhu Dhekunuburi
Gn	Fuvammulah
S	Addu Atoll

SCHEDULE 3

NATIONAL FLAG

National flag

🇲🇻

Composition of the national flag

As provided in Article 12 of this Constitution, the national flag of the Republic of Maldives comprises of a green rectangle with a white crescent in the centre, the green rectangle being surrounded by a red border.

Dimensions

The width of the national flag is two-thirds of its length. The width of the red border is one-fourth of the width of the flag. The radii of both curvatures crescent are one-third of the width of the green rectangle. They are drawn from two points on a centre line across the length of the green rectangle, the first point being nine-sixteenth and the second at five-eighths of the length, measured from the side nearer to the staff, joining together to form a crescent. When the flag is hoisted the curvature of the crescent should face out.

Colours

Green- British Admiralty Colour Code No. T 1143 for nylon worsted bunting and No. T 817 A for other bunting.

Red- British Admiralty Colour Code No. T 1144 for nylon worsted bunting and No. T 818 A for other bunting.

White- British Admiralty Colour Code No. T1145 for nylon worsted bunting and T 819 A for other bunting.

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