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Country Commercial Guides for FY 2000: Maldives Report prepared by U.S. Embassy Colombo, Sri Lanka, released July 1999   Note*

CHAPTER II

POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT

The Maldives was governed as an (independent) Islamic sultanate for most of its history from 1153 to 1968. Between 1887 and July 1965, the Maldives was a British protectorate. In 1953, there was a brief, abortive attempt at a republican form of government, after which the sultanate was reimposed. Following independence from Britain in 1965, the sultanate continued to operate for another three years. In November 1968, a referendum approved a constitution which abolished the sultanate and made the Maldives a republic with executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government.

The president heads the executive branch and appoints a cabinet. The president is nominated for a five-year term by a secret ballot of the Majlis (parliament), which requires confirmation by a national referendum. Further terms in office also require confirmation by referendum. The unicameral Majlis is composed of 48 members, who serve five-year terms. Two members from each atoll and the capital Male' are elected directly by universal suffrage. Eight members are appointed by the president. There are no organized political parties in the Republic of Maldives. Candidates for elective office run as independents on the basis of personal qualifications.

The Maldivian legal system is derived primarily from Islamic law and is administered by secular officials, a chief justice and lesser judges on each of the 19 atolls. Judges are appointed by the president and function under the Ministry of Justice. Each inhabited island within an atoll has a presidentially-appointed chief, who is responsible for law and order.

Current Maldivian President Mumoon Abdul Gayoom was elected in 1978 and reconfirmed by referendum in 1983, 1988, 1993, and 1998. On November 8, 1988, Sri Lankan Tamil mercenaries tried to overthrow the Maldivian government. At President Gayoom's request, the Indian military suppressed the coup attempt within 24 hours.