In 2024, the Maldives experienced significant political upheaval, with the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) losing its parliamentary majority to the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) after a series of defections and a decisive election. The year also saw substantial legislative activity, including numerous amendments and new laws aimed at modernising the country's legal framework and addressing public concerns.
Impeachment Attempt, Defections, and 2024 Parliamentary Election Results
At the beginning of 2024, the MDP, which held control of the Parliament, initiated an impeachment attempt against President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who had assumed office in November 2023. However, this effort was thwarted when 13 MDP lawmakers defected to the ruling PNC. Additionally, the MDP created challenges to securing parliamentary endorsement for President Muizzu’s cabinet nominations.
The 2024 Parliamentary Election, held on 20 April, resulted in the election of 93 lawmakers to the 20th Parliament. The ruling PNC secured a supermajority with 76 seats. President Dr Muizzu attributed the PNC’s victory to public trust in his administration, describing the win as an opportunity to bring peace and stability to the nation. In stark contrast, the MDP, which had held a supermajority in the previous parliament with 65 seats, managed to secure only 12 seats in the new parliament.
A Productive 20th Parliament: Key Legislative Amendments and New Laws
The 20th Parliament aimed to foster participation from all political ideologies and uphold democratic principles, steering clear of violence and defamation. It was regarded as productive, with numerous laws amended and modernised to align with current times. Notable bills passed in the first session included amendments to the Local Council Elections Act, Employment Act, enactment of the Foreign Investment Act, Financial Securities Act, Health Service Provision Act, Legal Profession Act, Urban Planning and Development Act, and Decentralisation Act.
The amendments to the Local Council Elections Act and the Decentralisation Act addressed concerns from the Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) and the public by scheduling local council by-elections only twice a year. Additionally, the amendment to the Health Service Provision Act expanded the national health service system, ensuring that public health services meet stringent safety and quality standards.
Comprehensive Legislative Efforts: Sustainable Infrastructure, Fiscal Responsibility, and Cybercrime Prevention
The Urban Planning and Development Act mandated sustainable infrastructure planning aligned with the government's decentralisation aims. During the second session of Parliament in 2024, significant work was done on numerous bills, including the Foreign Currency Act, Copyrights and Related Rights Act, National Debt Act, Fiscal Responsibility Act, constitutional amendments, Political Parties Act, Tobacco Control Act, Export Import Act, Goods and Services Tax Act, Tourism Act, and Airport Taxes and Fees Act.
The Fiscal Responsibility Act established a framework for implementing feasible fiscal standards, ensuring that state fiscal operations are sustainable and transparent. The National Debt Act aimed to streamline access to debt while maintaining robust financial safeguards and minimising debt servicing costs. Additionally, amendments to the Export Import Act and Tobacco Control Act banned vaping devices and products, raised import duties on tobacco, and revised sales regulations, including raising the age limit for purchasing tobacco to 21.
Constitutional Reforms: Strengthening Governance and National Security
The administration also amended the penal code to combat cybercrime, focusing on unauthorised access, data interception, and digital fraud. Over the past year, five constitutional amendments were enacted, covering anti-defection measures, changes to the Maldives' territory, foreign military deployment, public referendums, and presidential responsibilities. These amendments required parliamentary approval before deploying any foreign military personnel within Maldivian territory and mandated that lawmakers retain their seats only if they remained with their political party.
The 20th Parliament, currently in recess, has completed most of its work for 2024. With significant bills still in the pipeline and the promise of continued legislative productivity, 2025 holds the potential for further advancement and consolidation of democratic principles.