Fifth Amendment to the Maldives Constitution Ratified

On 8 December 2019, the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the Maldives was published in the Government Gazette. The Amendment introduces some important changes to the local council electoral process.

The Amendment amends subsections (a), (b) and (c) of Article 231 of the Constitution – Election of Councils. Subsection 231(a) deals with the composition of the Members of Councils in each administrative district. According to the Amendment, Island Council Members and City Council Members are to be elected by conducting elections in which constituents of the district will cast their vote. Under subsection 231(a)(3), the Council of an administrative district will be comprised of the Presidents of the Local Island Councils and President of the Atoll Council.

Further, subsection 231(b) has been amended so that Presidents of Island Councils and Mayors of City Councils will be elected by the constituents of their respective constituency. The Amendment also indicates, as per subsection 231(c), the term for all elected councils will be 5 (five) years.

The Amendment states that the composition of the councils, and other changes introduced under the Amendment must be implemented in the next council elections.