Multi-party elections to be held before 10 October 2008

The Transition Chapter of the amended Constitution passed last month provides for the first ever multi-party presidential elections in Maldives to be held before 10 October 2008, and the new president to be installed on 11 November 2008.

Under the chapter the current president and his cabinet will remain in office until the newly elected president is sworn in.

The Transition Chapter stipulates that the newly elected president should appoint the cabinet of ministers under the relevant provisions of the amended Constitution. It also states that no parliament member can serve on the cabinet from thereon.

The Transition Chapter was accepted for house debate following a nation-wide campaign for transitional arrangements by the National Unity Alliance in which the MDP is a major partner.

The first parliamentary elections under the amended Constitution are specified to take place before 31 March 2009. The current parliament will continue until new legislators are elected and convened under the amended Constitution. The newly elected parliament should have its first sitting before 1 May 2009.

The Transition Chapter makes provisions for an Anti Corruption Commission to be created within 60 days of the revised constitution coming into being. It also states that the permanent Judicial Service and Elections Commissions must be created within 60 days after the new parliament meets. A Prosecutor General is also to be appointed within 60 days from the new parliament’s first sitting.

Elections for all city, island and atoll councils are due to be held before 1 July 2009.