The Government of Maldives - The World Countries

Maldives - Government

Based on the etymolgy of Maldives, it was archipelago apparently named after the main island (and capital) of Male; the word "Maldives" means "the islands (dives) of Male"; alternatively, the name may derive from the Sanskrit word "maladvipa" meaning "garland of islands"; Dhivehi Raajje in Dhivehi means "Kingdom of the Dhivehi people". The Government system in this country is the presidential republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 21 administrative atolls (atholhuthah, singular - atholhu); Addu (Addu City), Ariatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Ari Atoll), Ariatholhu Uthuruburi (North Ari Atoll), Faadhippolhu, Felidhuatholhu (Felidhu Atoll), Fuvammulah, Hahdhunmathi, Huvadhuatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Huvadhu Atoll), Huvadhuatholhu Uthuruburi (North Huvadhu Atoll), Kolhumadulu, Maale (Male), Maaleatholhu (Male Atoll), Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi (South Maalhosmadulu), Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi (North Maalhosmadulu), Miladhunmadulu Dhekunuburi (South Miladhunmadulu), Miladhunmadulu Uthuruburi (North Miladhunmadulu), Mulakatholhu (Mulaku Atoll), Nilandheatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Nilandhe Atoll), Nilandheatholhu Uthuruburi (North Nilandhe Atoll), Thiladhunmathee Dhekunuburi (South Thiladhunmathi), Thiladhunmathee Uthuruburi (North Thiladhunmathi)

National symbols

Coconut palm, yellowfin tuna; national colors: red, green, white.

The flag

The National flag of Maldives has red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent moon; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag; red recalls those who have sacrificed their lives in defense of their country, the green rectangle represents peace and prosperity, and the white crescent signifies Islam.

The National Anthem

Title	"Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute)
Lyric/music	Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA

note: lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; between 1948 and 1972, the lyrics were sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne"

More about the government of Maldives

Constitution
Date of Independence	26 July 1965 (from the UK)
National holiday	Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Legal system	Islamic (sharia) legal system with English common law influences, primarily in commercial matters
International law organization participation	has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
History	Many previous; latest ratified 7 August 2008
Amendments	Proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote by its membership and the signature of the president of the republic; passage of amendments to constitutional articles on rights and freedoms and the terms of office of Parliament and of the president also requires a majority vote in a referendum; amended 2015
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth	no
Citizenship by descent only	at least one parent must be a citizen of Maldives
Dual citizenship recognized	yes
Residency requirement for naturalization	unknown
Executive Branch
Chief of state	President Mohamed MUIZZU (since 17 November 2023)
Head of government	President Mohamed MUIZZU (since 17 November 2023)
Cabinet	Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by People's Majlis
Elections/appointments	president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); first round held on 9 September 2023 and runoff held on 30 September 2023 (next to be held in 2028)
Election results	2023: Mohamed MUIZZU elected president in the second round; percent of vote in first round - Mohamed MUIZZU (PNC) 46.1%, Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH (MDP) 39.1%, Ilyas LABEEB (DEMS) 7.1%, other 7.7%; percent of vote in the second round - Mohamed MUIZZU 54%, Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH 46% 2018: Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH elected president in first round; Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH (MDP) 58.3%, Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (PPM) 41.7%
Legislative branch
Legislature name	People's Majlis (Majlis)
Legislative structure	Unicameral
Number of seats	93 (all directly elected)
Electoral system	Plurality/majority
Scope of elections	Full renewal
Term in office	5 years
Most recent election date	4/21/2024
Parties elected and seats per party	People's National Congress (PNC) (66); Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) (12); Independents (11); Other (4)
Percentage of women in chamber	3.2%
Expected date of next election	April 2029
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)	Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 justices
Judge selection and term of office	Supreme Court judges appointed by the president in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission - a 10-member body of selected high government officials and the public - and upon confirmation by voting members of the People's Majlis; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 70
Subordinate courts	High Court; Criminal, Civil, Family, Juvenile, and Drug Courts; Magistrate Courts (on each of the inhabited islands)
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Abdul GHAFOOR Mohamed (since 15 June 2023)
Chancery	1100 H Street NW, Suite 250, Washington, D.C. 20005
Telephone	[1] (202) 516-5458
Email address and website	[email protected] The Embassy (mdvmission.gov.mv)
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Hugo Yue-Ho YON (since 6 September 2023); note - Ambassador YON is the first resident US ambassador to the Republic of Maldives
Embassy	210 Galle Road, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka; note - as of early November 2023, the US has no consular or diplomatic offices in Maldives; the US Mission to Maldives operates from US Embassy Colombo, Sri Lanka
Telephone	[94] (11) 249-8500
FAX	[94] (11) 243-7345
Email address and website	Homepage - U.S. Embassy in Maldives