This year the government succeeded in empowering the Maldivian people and protected and defended the country’s sovereignty, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said Tuesday.
In a post shared on his social media platforms to mark the end of 2024, the President noted the recent constitutional amendments had given the people a say in important matters of the State, which he described as true empowerment of the Maldivian people.
With the message, President Muizzu had shared details of the constitutional amendments which he had earlier labelled as people-centric reforms.
One of the key constitutional amendments passed by the Parliament and ratified by the President in November, involves modifications to the country’s territory.
Previously, such changes required a two-thirds majority approval from the Parliament. The new amendment strengthens this requirement to a three-quarters majority. Additionally, the country's maritime territory can now be defined up to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and any changes to these territorial boundaries will require both a three-quarters majority in the Parliament and approval through a public referendum. The territory includes the Maldives' land, airspace, sea, seabed, and territorial waters as defined by law.
Another significant addition to the constitution now requires parliamentary approval before any foreign military personnel can be deployed within Maldivian territory, except for military exercises conducted under contractual terms.
The other amendment will now obligate governments to seek public opinion before bringing changes to the constitution including any changes to the Article on public referendums.
President Dr Muizzu had described these as critical decisions made with patriotic fervour and national spirit, serving to protect Maldivian citizens' rights whilst safeguarding the country's independence, sovereignty, development and stability.