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People's Majlis

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People's Majlis

ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލިސް

Rayyithunge Majilis
20th Parliament of the Maldives
Emblem of the People's Majlis
Emblem
Type
Type
Term limits
5 years
History
Founded22 December 1932 (1932-12-22) (established)
12 January 1933 (1933-01-12)[1] (first session)
New session started
28 May 2024 (2024-05-28)
Leadership
Abdul Raheem Abdulla, PNC
since 28 May 2024[2][3]
Deputy Speaker
Ahmed Nazim, PNC
since 28 May 2024[4][5]
Structure
Seats93[6]
Political groups
Majority (75)
  PNC (75)

Minority (12)

  MDP (12)

Others (6)

  MDA (2)
  JP (1)
  MNP (1)
  IND (2)
Elections
First-past-the-post
Last election
21 April 2024
Next election
2029
Motto
وَأَمْرُهُمْ شُورَىٰ بَيْنَهُمْ
(wa amruhum shūrā baynahum)
”Conduct their affairs through mutual consultation”
Meeting place
80 Medhuziyaaraiy Magu,
Henveiru, Malé 20080
Website
www.majlis.gov.mv
Constitution
Constitution of the Maldives

The People's Majlis (Dhivehi: ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލިސް, romanizedRayyithunge Majilis) is the unicameral legislative body of 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.[7]

Each year on the first Monday or Thursday of February, the Majlis is opened by the President of the Maldives. During the opening 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

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Majlis is the Arabic word for a sitting room.[8] 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.[9][10][11]

History

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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.[12]

Parliament building construction

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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.[13][14][15]

Incidents

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In 2003 after the death of a prison inmate, some rioters set fire to the Parliament building.[16] In 2024, a group of politicians, including the president, started a fight. The president was later taken to hospital.[17]

Members and elections

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The constitution of the Maldives was re-written in 2008, and the composition, electorates and powers of the Majlis changed drastically. For example, 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 parliament in other liberal democracies.

Two members are elected from each administrative atoll under the present 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 changed since the adoption of constitutional reforms 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, the seat count was increased by two (to 87) after two districts in Male’ were split.

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

SL No. CODE DHAAIRA TOTAL VOTERS
1 A01 Hoarafushi Dhaaira 3540
2 A02 Ihavandhoo Dhaaira 3457
3 A03 Baarashu Dhaairaa 3483
4 A04 Dhidhoo Dhaaira 3078
5 A05 Kelaa Dhaaira 3188
6 B01 Hanimaadhoo Dhaaira 3128
7 B02 Nolhivaram Dhaaira 3316
8 B03 Vaikaradhoo Dhaaira 2813
9 B04 Kulhudhuffushi Uthuru Dhaira 3559
10 B05 Kulhudhuffushi Dhekunu Dhaira 3514
11 B06 Makunudhoo Dhaira 3457
12 C01 Kanditheemu Dhaaira 3510
13 C02 Milandhoo Dhaaira 3085
14 C03 Komandoo Dhaaira 3412
15 C04 Funadhoo Dhaaira 3400
16 D01 Kendhikulhudhoo Dhaaira 3267
17 D02 Manadhoo Dhaaira 3139
18 D03 Velidhoo Dhaaira 3030
19 D04 Holhudhoo Dhaaira 3063
20 E01 Alifushi Dhaaira 3635
21 E02 Ungoofaaru Dhaaira 3313
22 E03 Dhuvaafaru Dhaairaa 3479
23 E04 Inguraidhoo Dhaaira 3574
24 E05 Maduvvari Dhaaira 3368
25 F01 Thulhaadhoo Dhaaira 3426
26 F02 Eydhafushi Dhaaira 2527
27 F03 Kendhoo Dhaaira 2591
28 F04 Hithaadhoo Dhaaira 2401
29 G01 Hinnavaru Dhaaira 3808
30 G02 Naifaru Dhaairaa 4094
31 G03 Kurendhoo Dhaaira 2089
32 H01 Kaashidhoo Dhaaira 2853
33 H02 Thulusdhoo Dhaaira 2074
34 H03 Maafushi Dhaaira 2825
35 H04 Huraa Dhaaira 2345
36 I01 Maamigili Dhaaira 2878
37 I02 Mahibadhoo Dhaaira 2685
38 I03 Dhangethi Dhaaira 2538
39 J01 Felidhoo Dhaaira 1039
40 J02 Keyodhoo Dhaaira 915
41 K01 Dhiggaru Dhaaira 2698
42 K02 Mulaku Dhaaira 2795
43 L01 Bileydhoo Dhaaira 2459
44 L02 Nilandhoo Dhaaira 1950
45 M01 Meedhoo Dhaaira 2697
46 M02 Kudahuvadhoo Dhaaira 3155
47 N01 Vilufushi Dhaaira 2905
48 N02 Thimarafushi Dhaaira 2874
49 N03 Kinbidhoo Dhaaira 3268
50 N04 Guraidhoo Dhaairaa 2707
51 O01 Isdhoo Dhaaira 3305
52 O02 Gamu Dhaaira 3869
53 O03 Fonadhoo Dhaaira 3064
54 O04 Maavashu Dhaaira 3038
55 P01 Vilingili Dhaaira 2742
56 P02 Dhaandhoo Dhaaira 2623
57 P03 Gemanafushi Dhaaira 2967
58 P04 Kolamaafushi Dhaaira 2358
59 Q01 Thinadhoo Uthuru Dhaairaa 2954
60 Q02 Thinadhoo Dhekunu Dhaairaa 2679
61 Q03 Madaveli Dhaaira 3141
62 Q04 Faresmaathodaa Dhaaira 3494
63 Q05 Gadhdhoo Dhaaira 3455
64 R01 Fuvahmulaku uthuru Dhaairaa 3648
65 R02 Fuvahmulaku medhu Dhaira 3070
66 R03 Fuvahmulaku dhekunu Dhaairaa 2843
67 S01 Hulhudhoo Dhaairaa 2843
68 S02 Feydhoo Dhekunu Dhaairaa 2706
69 S03 Maradhoo Dhaaira 2754
70 S04 Hithadhoo Uthuru Dhaairaa 4028
71 S05 Hithadhoo Medhu Dhaaira 4280
72 S06 Hithadhoo Dhekunu Dhaaira 4071
73 S07 Addu Meedhoo dhaaira 2287
74 S08 Feydhoo Uthuru Dhaairaa 2989
75 T01 Hulhumaale Dhekunu Dhaaira 3193
76 T02 Medhu henveyru Dhaaira 3010
77 T03 Henveyru Dhekunu Dhaaira 2675
78 T04 Henveyru Uthuru Dhaaira 2402
79 T05 Galolhu Uthuru Dhaaira 3914
80 T06 Galolhu Dhekunu Dhaaira 4033
81 T07 Mahchangoalhee Uthuru Dhaira 2842
82 T08 Mahchangoalhee Dhekunu Dhaira 2691
83 T09 Maafannu Uthuru Dhaira 3878
84 T10 Maafannu Hulhangu Dhaaira 3555
85 T11 Maafannu Medhu Dhaaira 3697
86 T12 Maafannu Dhekunu dhaaira 2884
87 T13 Villimale Dhaaira 3227
88 T14 Henveyru Hulhangu Dhaaira 2806
89 T15 Mahchangoalhee Medhu Dhaira 2820
90 T16 Hulhumaale Medhu Dhaaira 4230
91 T17 Hulhumaale Uthuru Dhaaira 3220
92 U01 Mathiveri Dhaaira 2950
93 U02 Thoddoo Dhaaira 3024

Speaker of the People's Majlis

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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 Unknown [18]
2 27 June 1942 –
29 October 1944
Ahmed Kamil Didi None Unknown [18]
3 30 October 1944 –
7 November 1945
Ibrahim Ali Didi None Unknown [18]
4 8 November 1945 –
3 March 1948
Ali Kuda Rannabandeyri Kilegefaanu None Unknown [18]
5 12 April 1948 –
12 April 1952
Muhanmadu Naseeru Maniku None Unknown [18]
6 13 April 1952 –
21 October 1953
Malin Musaa Mafai Kalegefaanu None Unknown [18]
7 1 March 1954 –
3 October 1959
Ibrahim Fareed Didi None Unknown [18]
8 3 October 1959 –
1 August 1972
Ahmed Zaki None Unknown 1st term [18]
9 1 October 1972 –
11 November 1982
Ahmed Shathir None Unknown [18]
10 11 November 1982 –
15 January 1988
Ibrahim Shihab None Unknown [18]
11 14 February 1988 –
22 February 1990
Abdulla Hameed None Unknown 1st term [18]
12 22 February 1990 –
11 November 1993
Ahmed Zaki None Unknown 2nd term [18]
13 11 November 1993 –
13 September 2004
Abdulla Hameed None Unknown 2nd term [18]
14 13 September 2004 –
6 August 2008
Ahmed Zahir Unknown Unknown [18]
15 12 August 2008 –
28 May 2009
Mohamed Shihab Jumhooree Party Unknown [18]
16 29 May 2009 –
28 May 2014
Abdulla Shahid Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party Ahmed Nazim [18]
17 29 May 2014 –
1 November 2018
Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed Progressive Party of Maldives Moosa Manik [18]
18 1 November 2018 –
28 May 2019
Qasim Ibrahim Jumhooree Party Moosa Manik [18]
19 29 May 2019 –
13 November 2023
Mohamed Nasheed Maldivian Democratic Party Eva Abdulla [18]
20 13 November 2023 –
28 May 2024
Mohamed Aslam Maldivian Democratic Party Ahmed Saleem [19][20]
21 28 May 2024 –
Incumbent
Abdul Raheem Abdulla People's National Congress Ahmed Nazim [21]

[22]

Speaker of the Special Majlis

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

Sittings of the Majlis

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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

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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

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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

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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.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Al Suood, Husnu (12 February 2014). The Maldivian Legal System. Malé: Maldives Law Institute. p. 84. ISBN 9789991588605. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  2. ^ "20th Parliament Speaker". People's Majlis. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  3. ^ Abdulla, Aishath Fareeha (28 May 2024). "އަބްދުއްރަހީމް މަޖިލިސް ރައީސަކަށް އިންތިހާބުކޮށްފި" [Abdul Raheem elected Speaker of Parliament]. Dhauru (in Divehi). Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  4. ^ "20th Parliament Deputy Speaker". People's Majlis. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  5. ^ Mohamed, Mariyath (28 May 2024). "LIVE: Abdul Raheem elected as Parliament Speaker, Nazim as Deputy Speaker". The Edition. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  6. ^ "މަޖިލިހުގެ މެމްބަރުންގެ އަދަދު މަދުކުރުމާ މެދު ދެކެނީ ކިހިނެއް؟" [Opinions of lowering number of MPs in the People's Majlis?]. Dhauru News (in Divehi). Next Media Group. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  7. ^ "20th Parliament Statistics".{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "المجلس". Academy of the Arabic Language in Cairo. 1998.
  9. ^ "عن المجلس". Federal National Council (in Arabic). 2011. Archived from the original on 24 April 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  10. ^ "Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran". Islamic Consultative Assembly (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 25 September 2017.
  11. ^ "See The Majlis Of The Future Today – Leading UAE Interior Designers Set To Reveal Their Visions At INDEX, Sponsored By Al Nakheel". Dubai City Guide. 9 November 2009. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011.
  12. ^ Daly, Tom Gerald; Samararatne, Dinesha (15 May 2024). "Democratic Consolidation and Constitutional Endurance in Asia and Africa: Comparing Uneven Pathways". Oxford University Press.
  13. ^ H. Rizvi (15 January 1993). Pakistan and the Geostrategic Environment: A Study of Foreign Policy. Palgrave Macmillan UK. p. 69. ISBN 978-0-230-37984-8. Pakistan offered a grant of Rs 45 million for the parliament building under construction in Male, the capital of the Maldives.
  14. ^ Foreign Affairs Pakistan. Pakistan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. July 1998. pp. 50, 134. During his stay in Male', the Prime Minister inaugurated the Maldivian Parliament House. The building has been constructed by Pakistan as a gift to the people of Maldives...
  15. ^ Foreign Trade: Pattern of Pakistan. Compiled by M. Shabbir Marfani & Muhammad Aslam. Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 1999. p. 497. Prime Minister inaugurated the new parliament building of Maldives which has been constructed by Pakistan at a cost of $ 4.25 million...{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  16. ^ Wilson, James; MacDonald, Linda (25 September 2003). "Trouble in paradise: riots and arrests rock the Maldives". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  17. ^ Sarkar, Alisha Rahaman (29 January 2024). "Maldives parliament debate over cabinet appointees descends into mass brawl between MPs". The Independent. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Past Speaker". People's Majlis. Archived from the original on 17 November 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  19. ^ "19th Parliament Speaker". People's Majlis. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  20. ^ "19th Parliament Deputy Speaker". People's Majlis. Archived from the original on 17 May 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  21. ^ "Speaker of the Parliament – People's Majlis of Maldives". People's Majlis. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  22. ^ "Deputy Speaker of the Parliament – People's Majlis of Maldives". People's Majlis. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
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