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Maldives

https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/

April 2025

Judges suspended in the midst of constitutional review

Three Supreme Court judges were suspended in April 2024 in what they allege is an intimidation campaign by the President and Attorney General to compel them to side with the government in the judicial review of a constitutional amendment. The government cited an ongoing disciplinary investigation against the justices as the reason for the suspensions, but the justices deny the allegations. The amendment in question, passed in November 2024, established an anti-defection law for members of parliament. The amendment process was also criticized for being rushed and lacking proper legal consultation. Collectively, these developments are seen as undermining judicial independence and increasing the risk of political interference in the courts. The United Nations and rights experts raised serious concerns over the suspensions.

Sources: Human Rights Watch, DevdiscourseRaajjeJurist, Transparency International

April 2024

Ruling party secures supermajority in parliamentary election
Election flag

The Maldives parliamentary election on 21 April delivered a landslide victory for President Mohamed Muizzu’s ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), which secured 66 out of the 93-member house seats, while the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party won 12 seats. Voter turnout was approximately 73.9 per cent, down from 81.3 per cent in 2019. According to media reports, female representation dropped to three women winning seats, down one from the 2019 election. Election observers noted that the electoral process was conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner.

Sources: Election Commission of Maldives, Maldives Financial Review,  BBC News, International IDEA, ORF, Raajje MV, ANFREL, PSM News

December 2023

Parliament passes two landmark labour rights bills

On 18 December, Parliament passed the Industrial Relations (IR) Bill and the Occupation Safety and Health (OSH) Bill aimed at strengthening workers’ rights. The IR bill establishes a legal framework protecting workers' constitutional rights, including the right to strike, form trade unions and freedom of speech. The OSH similarly seeks to protect workers from potential workplace health hazards and harms, establishing procedures to report injuries and provide compensation. Rights advocates have hailed the bills as a victory for unions and the working class in Maldives after a decade-long campaign to enhance workers' rights. President Mohamed Muizzu ratified both bills on 2 January 2024.

Sources: International Federation of Journalists, Maldives Financial Review, ITUC Asia Pacific, Solidarity Center

September 2023

Mohammed Muizzu wins presidential election

Mohammed Muizzu, the opposition candidate from the Progressive Alliance (a coalition of the Progressive Party of Maldives and Peoples National Congress), won the presidential run-off on 30 September with 54 per cent of the vote, defeating Ibrahim Solih of the Maldivian Democratic Party. The run-off followed the 9 September election, where no candidate secured the minimum 50 per cent of required votes. Voter turnout increased from 79.98 per cent on 9 September to 87.31 per cent on 30 September. A record eight candidates ran in the election, with no female candidates. Transparency Maldives reported overall peaceful elections despite isolated incidents of violence.

Sources: The Associated Press, IFES, Election Commission of Maldives, Transparency Maldives

See all event reports for this country

Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2023

Chevron
Representation
79/173
Rights
85/173
Rule of Law
57/173
Participation
79/173

Basic Information

Chevron
Population Tooltip
523 790
System of government
Presidential system
Head of government
President Mohamed Muizzu (since 2023)
Head of government party
People's National Congress
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
First Past the Post
Women in lower or single chamber
5.0%
Women in upper chamber
Not applicable
Last legislative election
2024
Head of state
President Mohamed Muizzu
Selection Process for Head of State
Direct election (two-round majority)
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
04/11/2020
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
72.20%
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Human Rights Treaties

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State Party State party
Signatory Signatory
No Action No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
State Party
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
State Party
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
State Party
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
State Party
Convention on the Rights of the Child
State Party
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
No Action
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 
State Party
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State Party
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
State Party
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
State Party
Equal Remuneration Convention
State Party
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
State Party
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
State Party
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
State Party
in
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Performance by category over the last 6 months

Representation neutral Representation
Nov 2024
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Apr 2025
Representation neutral Rights
Nov 2024
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Apr 2025
Representation neutral Rule of law
Nov 2024
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Apr 2025
Representation neutral Participation
Nov 2024
Dec
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Apr 2025

Global State of Democracy Indices

Hover over the trend lines to see the exact data points across the years

Explore the indices
Representation
Representation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rights
Rights
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rule of Law
Rule of Law
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Participation
Participation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4

Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time

Use the slider below to see how democratic performance has changed over time

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