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People's Majlis

Parliament of the Republic of Maldives

Field	Value
background_color	#00406B
name	People's Majlis
native_name	ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލިސް
native_name_lang	dv
transcription_name	dv
legislature	20th Parliament of the Maldives
coa_pic	Majlis-logo.svg
coa_alt	Emblem of the People's Majlis
coa_caption	Emblem
house_type	Unicameral
term_limits	5 years
foundation	(established)
(first session)
new_session
leader1_type	Speaker
leader1	Abdul Raheem Abdulla
election1	28 May 2024
party1	PNC
leader2_type	Deputy Speaker
leader2	Ahmed Nazim
election2	28 May 2024
party2	PNC
leader4_type	Secretary General
leader4	Fathimath Niusha
leader5_type	Majority Leader
leader5	Ibrahim Falah
party5	PNC
leader6_type	Minority Leader
leader6	Ibrahim Nazil
party6	MDP
seats	93
structure1	File:Parliament of the Maldives (2024 to 2028).svg
structure1_res	250px
:	border	silver}} PNC (75)
:	border	silver}} MDP (12)
:{{Color box	#ff8040	border	silver}} MDA (2)
:{{Color box	#DC143C	border	silver}} JP (1)
:	border	silver}} MNP (1)
:{{Color box	#DDDDDD	border	silver}} IND (2)
voting_system1	First-past-the-post
last_election1	[21 April 2024](2024-maldivian-parliamentary-election)
next_election1	[2029](2029-maldivian-parliamentary-election)
meeting_place	80 Medhuziyaaraiy Magu,
Henveiru, Malé 20080
website
motto	وَأَمْرُهُمْ شُورَىٰ بَيْنَهُمْ
(ar)
"Conduct their affairs through mutual consultation”
constitution	Constitution of the Maldives

(first session)

Majority (75) : PNC (75)

Minority (12) : MDP (12) Others (6) : MDA (2) : JP (1) : MNP (1) : IND (2)

Henveiru, Malé 20080 (ar) "Conduct their affairs through mutual consultation” The People's Majlis () is the unicameral legislative body of the Maldives. It has the authority to enact, amend and revise laws, as outlined in the Constitution of the Maldives. It is composed of 93 members as of 2024.

Flag of the People's Majlis

Each year on the first Monday or Thursday of February, the Majlis is opened by the President of the Maldives. During the opening of ceremony, the president outlines his policies and achievements in his presidential term. The annual state budget is decided here. Its working language is Dhivehi.

Etymology

Majlis is the Arabic word for a sitting room. It can also refer to a legislature, and is used in the names of legislative councils and assemblies in some states of the Islamic world.

History

A council was set up by Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen III to draft the Constitution of the Maldives on 9 March 1931. The council completed and implemented the constitution on 22 December 1932. This constitution was the basis for the formation, of the first ever Majlis of the Maldives. The meetings of this Majlis were held in the "Hakura Ganduvaru". The first president or the speaker of the Majlis was Al Ameer Mohammed Farid Didi. Maldives was then ruled by a sultan and the advent of the new constitution was seen as a threat to the sultanate. Thus, mobs were instigated against the constitution and it was publicly torn up. Since then the constitution of the Maldives has been revised a number of times.

During the era of First Republic of the Maldives from 1953 to 1954, there was a bicameral legislature which included Senate of the Maldives. The Republican constitution was abolished in January 1954 and unicameral legislature was restored.

Parliament building construction

The present parliamentary building of the People's Majlis was inaugurated on 1 August 1998, with the presence of Pakistan's then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The building was built with the assistance of the Pakistani government, who provided a grant of Rs. 45 million ($4.25 million) for its construction.

Incidents

In 2003, amid unrest that unfolded after the killing of political prisoner Hassan Evan Naseem by security personnel at Maafushi Prison, some rioters threw stones at the Parliament building.

In 2024, there were physical altercations between opposition and government parliamentarians over the cabinet appointments of president Mohamed Muizzu. Opposition MPs were later hospitalized.

Members and elections

The constitution of the Maldives was re-written in 2008, and the composition, electorates and powers of the Majlis changed drastically. After the change, Majlis had 85 seats, one from each electorate, has an elected speaker from among members, has substantially expanded powers, has been elected in multi-party elections since 2009 and generally resembles the legislatures in other liberal democracies.

Two members are elected from each administrative atoll under the new constitution. Another two members are elected from the capital Malé. The president appoints 8 members to the Majlis. In the past the Majlis was fully controlled by the ruling regime, but it has since changed following the adoption of the new constitution in 2008 and the first multi party election in 2009.

The members are elected for a five-year term. Before the ending of the duration for the existing Majlis, a general election is held to elect a new Majlis. Usually a new Majlis is elected thirty days prior to the expiration of the existing Majlis.

Once elected, members begin their parliamentary responsibilities after taking the oath of office, stipulated in article 67 of the constitution. Members are guaranteed parliamentary immunity under the constitution.

Before the 2019 elections, an additional 2 seats were created after two districts in Male’ were split.

In the 2024 parliamentary election which was conducted on 21 April 2024 included 93 constituencies:

#	Code	Constituency
A01	Hoarafushi	3540
A02	Ihavandhoo	3457
A03	Baarashu	3483
A04	Dhidhoo	3078
A05	Kelaa	3188
B01	Hanimaadhoo	3128
B02	Nolhivaram	3316
B03	Vaikaradhoo	2813
B04	Kulhudhuffushi North	3559
B05	Kulhudhuffushi South	3514
B06	Makunudhoo	3457
C01	Kanditheemu	3510
C02	Milandhoo	3085
C03	Komandoo	3412
C04	Funadhoo	3400
D01	Kendhikulhudhoo	3267
D02	Manadhoo	3139
D03	Velidhoo	3030
D04	Holhudhoo	3063
E01	Alifushi	3635
E02	Ungoofaaru	3313
E03	Dhuvaafaru	3479
E04	Inguraidhoo	3574
E05	Maduvvari	3368
F01	Thulhaadhoo	3426
F02	Eydhafushi	2527
F03	Kendhoo	2591
F04	Hithaadhoo	2401
G01	Hinnavaru	3808
G02	Naifaru	4094
G03	Kurendhoo	2089
H01	Kaashidhoo	2853
H02	Thulusdhoo	2074
H03	Maafushi	2825
H04	Huraa	2345
I01	Maamigili	2878
I02	Mahibadhoo	2685
I03	Dhangethi	2538
J01	Felidhoo	1039
J02	Keyodhoo	915
K01	Dhiggaru	2698
K02	Mulaku	2795
L01	Bileydhoo	2459
L02	Nilandhoo	1950
M01	Meedhoo	2697
M02	Kudahuvadhoo	3155
N01	Vilufushi	2905
N02	Thimarafushi	2874
N03	Kinbidhoo	3268
N04	Guraidhoo	2707
O01	Isdhoo	3305
O02	Gamu	3869
O03	Fonadhoo	3064
O04	Maavashu	3038
P01	Villingili	2742
P02	Dhaandhoo	2623
P03	Gemanafushi	2967
P04	Kolamaafushi	2358
Q01	Thinadhoo North	2954
Q02	Thinadhoo South	2679
Q03	Madaveli	3141
Q04	Faresmaathodaa	3494
Q05	Gadhdhoo	3455
R01	Fuvahmulah North	3648
R02	Fuvahmulah Central	3070
R03	Fuvahmulah South	2843
S01	Hulhudhoo	2843
S02	Feydhoo South	2706
S03	Maradhoo	2754
S04	Hithadhoo North	4028
S05	Hithadhoo Central	4280
S06	Hithadhoo South	4071
S07	Addu–Meedhoo	2287
S08	Feydhoo North	2989
T01	Hulhumale South	3193
T02	Henveiru Central	3010
T03	Henveiru South	2675
T04	Henveiru North	2402
T05	Galolhu North	3914
T06	Galolhu South	4033
T07	Machangolhi North	2842
T08	Machangolhi South	2691
T09	Maafannu North	3878
T10	Maafannu West	3555
T11	Maafannu Central	3697
T12	Maafannu South	2884
T13	Villimale	3227
T14	Henveiru West	2806
T15	Machangolhi Central	2820
T16	Hulhumale Central	4230
T17	Hulhumale North	3220
U01	Mathiveri	2950
U02	Thoddoo	3024

Speaker of the People's Majlis

Main article: Speaker of the People's Majlis

A speaker is elected among the Members. The speaker chairs the meetings of the Majlis, is responsible for maintaining order in the chamber and supervises the administrative affairs of the Majlis. The speaker is next in line to be the acting president in case of a vacancy in the president's position, until a new council to govern the state is elected.

A deputy speaker is also chosen to assist the speaker of the Majlis and to run the Majlis, when the Speaker is absent or is not fit to fulfill the responsibilities of the Speaker.

Speakership	Speaker	Party	Deputy Speaker	Notes
1	21 October 1933 –
25 June 1942	Muhammad Fareed Didi		None
2	27 June 1942 –
29 October 1944	Ahmed Kamil Didi		None
3	30 October 1944 –
7 November 1945	Ibrahim Ali Didi		None
4	8 November 1945 –
3 March 1948	Ali Kuda Rannabandeyri Kilegefaanu		None
5	12 April 1948 –
12 April 1952	Mohamed Naseer Manik		None
6	13 April 1952 –
21 October 1953	Malim Moosa Maafayeh Kaleygefaanu		None
7	1 March 1954 –
3 October 1959	Ibrahim Fareed Didi		None
8	3 October 1959 –
1 August 1972	Ahmed Zaki		None
9	1 October 1972 –
11 November 1982	Ahmed Shathir		None
10	11 November 1982 –
15 January 1988	Ibrahim Shihab		None
11	14 February 1988 –
22 February 1990	Abdulla Hameed		None
12	22 February 1990 –
11 November 1993	Ahmed Zaki		None
13	11 November 1993 –
13 September 2004	Abdulla Hameed		None
14	13 September 2004 –
6 August 2008	Ahmed Zahir		Unknown
15	12 August 2008 –
28 May 2009	Mohamed Shihab		Republican
16	29 May 2009 –
28 May 2014	Abdulla Shahid		People's
17	29 May 2014 –
1 November 2018	Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed		Progressive
18	1 November 2018 –
28 May 2019	Qasim Ibrahim		Republican
19	29 May 2019 –
13 November 2023	Mohamed Nasheed	Maldivian Democratic Party}} 90%, 10%);		DemocraticDemocrats
20	13 November 2023 –
28 May 2024	Mohamed Aslam		Democratic
21	28 May 2024 –
Incumbent	Abdul Raheem Abdulla	People's National Congress (Maldives)}};		Congress

Speaker of the Special Majlis

Portrait	Name	Entered office	Left office	Notes
	Abbas Ibrahim	2004	2006	Speaker of Special Majlis

Sittings of the Majlis

The sittings of the Majlis are divided into three sessions a year. The speaker has the authority to assign the dates for the commencing and closing of the Majlis sessions. For a Majlis session to commence, the meeting should be presided by the speaker or the deputy speaker. The quorum of the Majlis is 26 and this number is required to begin a session of the Majlis. If the quorum is not present, the speaker has to adjourn the session. Most Majlis meetings are open to the public.

Committees

There are two types of committees in the Majlis. They are the standing committees and the selected committees. There are eleven standing committees in the Majlis, which is responsible for proposing amendments to bills or matters presented to Majlis floor, researching of the proposed bills or matters presented to the Majlis. Members are elected for a period of two and a half years for the standing committees. The responsibility of the standing committees varies, depending on its purpose.

Unlike the standing committees, the selected committees are temporary and it's dissolved, once the selected purpose is over. Usually selected committees are made to investigate or research matters related to a present circumstance or an incident. All the committees are chaired by the speaker or the deputy speaker or a person appointed by the speaker. The Majlis decides the number of members to assign to each committee.

Majlis Secretariat

The secretariat of the Majlis was established in 1971. Since then it has been the responsibility of the Secretariat to oversee and facilitate the smooth running of the Majlis. Secretariat supports the Majlis with legislative works, manages the administrative affairs and provides technical support to the members of the Majlis. A secretary general is appointed to run the Majlis secretariat. The general supervises the Majlis secretariat.

Legislative functions

Legislative proposals are introduced to the Majlis as bills. The government or the members present the bills to the Majlis floor. Once the bill is presented, the committee stage begins and the members debate on the provisions of the bill. Members may also propose amendments or propose to pass the bill during the debate. The members also have the right to send the bill to any of the related committee for further research and deliberation. If the bill is sent to the committees then there won't be any further debate or voting on the bill, until the committee presents its final findings about the bill.

Once the committee stage is over, members cast their votes to decide whether the bill will pass or not. If an amendment is proposed to the bill, the members votes for the amendment first. When the amendments are passed the members vote on to decide the fate of the bill. Once the bill is passed, it is sent to the president within seven days for presidential assent. The president should give his decree on the bill within thirty days or return it to the Majlis for further consideration or consideration of any amendments proposed by the president.

If the bill was not returned to the Majlis by the president or even if the president did not ratify the bill within the thirty-day period, the bill is deemed to become law. If the bill is sent back to the Majlis, the members can decide to pass the bill as it was before or they can consider the presidents observations.

References

Al Suood, Husnu. (12 February 2014). "The Maldivian Legal System". Maldives Law Institute.
"20th Parliament Speaker".
Abdulla, Aishath Fareeha. (28 May 2024). "އަބްދުއްރަހީމް މަޖިލިސް ރައީސަކަށް އިންތިހާބުކޮށްފި". Dhauru.
"20th Parliament Deputy Speaker".
Mohamed, Mariyath. (28 May 2024). "LIVE: Abdul Raheem elected as Parliament Speaker, Nazim as Deputy Speaker". [[The Edition]].
"މަޖިލިހުގެ މެމްބަރުންގެ އަދަދު މަދުކުރުމާ މެދު ދެކެނީ ކިހިނެއް؟". Dhauru News.
"20th Parliament Statistics".
(1998). "المجلس". Academy of the Arabic Language in Cairo.
(2011). "عن المجلس". [[Federal National Council]].
"Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran".
(9 November 2009). "See The Majlis Of The Future Today – Leading UAE Interior Designers Set To Reveal Their Visions At INDEX, Sponsored By Al Nakheel".
(15 May 2024). "Democratic Consolidation and Constitutional Endurance in Asia and Africa: Comparing Uneven Pathways". Oxford University Press.
H. Rizvi. (15 January 1993). "Pakistan and the Geostrategic Environment: A Study of Foreign Policy". Palgrave Macmillan UK.
(July 1998). "Foreign Affairs Pakistan". Pakistan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
(1999). "Foreign Trade: Pattern of Pakistan". Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
(25 September 2003). "Trouble in paradise: riots and arrests rock the Maldives". [[The Guardian]].
Sarkar, Alisha Rahaman. (29 January 2024). "Maldives parliament debate over cabinet appointees descends into mass brawl between MPs". [[The Independent]].
"Past Speakers".
"19th Parliament Speaker".
"19th Parliament Deputy Speaker".
"Speaker of the Parliament – People's Majlis of Maldives".
"Deputy Speaker of the Parliament – People's Majlis of Maldives".

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