The Hindu : National : ``Multi-party democracy in Maldives in a year''

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Friday, Apr 01, 2005

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``Multi-party democracy in Maldives in a year''

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MARCH 31. The Maldivian President, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, has promised Constitutional amendments for introduction of a multi-party democratic system in his country within one year.

Addressing an invited gathering of about 500 Maldivian expatriates here, the President said that the country was ready for democracy, having achieved social and economic progress. The Special Majlis, which is empowered to decide on the amendments, could draft and approve the new Constitution in a year's time.

Mr. Gayoom said that he was willing to abdicate his powers as head of the judiciary and entrust it to a Chief Justice. The penal code would be rewritten and reforms brought in to create a criminal justice system for the 21st Century.

More rights to women

He also promised more political rights to women with eligibility to contest the presidential elections. It was up to the Special Majlis to decide on whether the country should have a West Minister or French model of parliamentary democracy or a presidential system. He preferred a Parliamentary model with the Prime Minister as the head of the Government. The aim was a fully accountable Government — the development of a modern and mature democracy.

The meeting was attended among others by dissident leaders such as Ibrahim Hussain Fulu.

The Chief Government spokesman, Ahamed Saheed, told The Hindu that three kinds of reforms were being attempted — constitutional reforms, institutional reforms and modernisation of the Criminal Justice System. Of them, some of the institutional reforms such as separation of police from the military had already been carried out.

He said that the India and Maldives had agreed on establishment of a Consulate of Maldives in Thiruvananthapuram soon. The modalities were being worked out.

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