# People's Majlis

The People's Majlis (Dhivehi: ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލިސް, romanized: Rayyithunge Majilis) is the unicameral legislative body of Maldives. It has the authority to enact, amend and revise laws, as outlined in the Constitution of the Maldives. It is composed of 93 members as of 2024.
Each year on the first Monday or Thursday of February, the Majlis is opened by the President of the Maldives. During the opening ceremony, the president outlines his policies and achievements in his presidential term. The annual state budget is decided here. Its working language is Dhivehi.

## Etymology

Majlis is the Arabic word for a sitting room. It can also refer to a legislature, and is used in the names of legislative councils and assemblies in some states of the Islamic world.

## History

A council was set up by Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen III to draft the Constitution of the Maldives on 9 March 1931. The council completed and implemented the constitution on 22 December 1932. This constitution was the basis for the formation, of the first ever Majlis of the Maldives. The meetings of this Majlis were held in the “Hakura Ganduvaru”. The first president or the speaker of the Majlis was Al Ameer Mohammed Farid Didi. Maldives was then ruled by a sultan and the advent of the new constitution was seen as a threat to the sultanate. Thus, mobs were instigated against the constitution and it was publicly torn up. Since then the constitution of the Maldives has been revised a number of times.
During the era of First Republic of the Maldives from 1953 to 1954, there was a bicameral legislature which included Senate of the Maldives. The Republican constitution was abolished in January 1954 and unicameral legislature was restored.

### Parliament building construction

The present parliamentary building of the People's Majlis was inaugurated on 1 August 1998, with the presence of Pakistan's then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The building was built with the assistance of the Pakistani government, who provided a grant of Rs. 45 million ($4.25 million) for its construction.

### Incidents

In 2003 after the death of a prison inmate, some rioters set fire to the Parliament building. In 2024, opposition and government parliamentarians started a fight about the appointing of members to the cabinet of Mohamed Muizzu. Opposition MPs were later taken to hospital.

## Members and elections

The constitution of the Maldives was re-written in 2008, and the composition, electorates and powers of the Majlis changed drastically. For example, after the change, Majlis had 85 seats, one from each electorate, has an elected speaker from among members, has substantially expanded powers, has been elected in multi-party elections since 2009 and generally resembles the parliament in other liberal democracies.
Two members are elected from each administrative atoll under the present constitution. Another two members are elected from the capital Malé. The president appoints 8 members to the Majlis. In the past the Majlis was fully controlled by the ruling regime but it has changed since the adoption of constitutional reforms in 2008 and the first multi party election in 2009.
The members are elected for a five-year term. Before the ending of the duration for the existing Majlis, a general election is held to elect a new Majlis. Usually a new Majlis is elected thirty days prior to the expiration of the existing Majlis.
Once elected, members begin their parliamentary responsibilities after taking the oath of office, stipulated in article 67 of the constitution. Members are guaranteed parliamentary immunity under the constitution.
Before the 2019 elections, the seat count was increased by two (to 87) after two districts in Male’ were split.
In the 2024 parliamentary election which was conducted on 21 April 2024 included 93 constituencies:
| # | Code | Name | Votes |
| 1 | A01 | Hoarafushi Dhaaira | 3540 |
| 2 | A02 | Ihavandhoo Dhaaira | 3457 |
| 3 | A03 | Baarashu Dhaairaa | 3483 |
| 4 | A04 | Dhidhoo Dhaaira | 3078 |
| 5 | A05 | Kelaa Dhaaira | 3188 |
| 6 | B01 | Hanimaadhoo Dhaaira | 3128 |
| 7 | B02 | Nolhivaram Dhaaira | 3316 |
| 8 | B03 | Vaikaradhoo Dhaaira | 2813 |
| 9 | B04 | Kulhudhuffushi Uthuru Dhaira | 3559 |
| 10 | B05 | Kulhudhuffushi Dhekunu Dhaira | 3514 |
| 11 | B06 | Makunudhoo Dhaira | 3457 |
| 12 | C01 | Kanditheemu Dhaaira | 3510 |
| 13 | C02 | Milandhoo Dhaaira | 3085 |
| 14 | C03 | Komandoo Dhaaira | 3412 |
| 15 | C04 | Funadhoo Dhaaira | 3400 |
| 16 | D01 | Kendhikulhudhoo Dhaaira | 3267 |
| 17 | D02 | Manadhoo Dhaaira | 3139 |
| 18 | D03 | Velidhoo Dhaaira | 3030 |
| 19 | D04 | Holhudhoo Dhaaira | 3063 |
| 20 | E01 | Alifushi Dhaaira | 3635 |
| 21 | E02 | Ungoofaaru Dhaaira | 3313 |
| 22 | E03 | Dhuvaafaru Dhaairaa | 3479 |
| 23 | E04 | Inguraidhoo Dhaaira | 3574 |
| 24 | E05 | Maduvvari Dhaaira | 3368 |
| 25 | F01 | Thulhaadhoo Dhaaira | 3426 |
| 26 | F02 | Eydhafushi Dhaaira | 2527 |
| 27 | F03 | Kendhoo Dhaaira | 2591 |
| 28 | F04 | Hithaadhoo Dhaaira | 2401 |
| 29 | G01 | Hinnavaru Dhaaira | 3808 |
| 30 | G02 | Naifaru Dhaairaa | 4094 |
| 31 | G03 | Kurendhoo Dhaaira | 2089 |
| 32 | H01 | Kaashidhoo Dhaaira | 2853 |
| 33 | H02 | Thulusdhoo Dhaaira | 2074 |
| 34 | H03 | Maafushi Dhaaira | 2825 |
| 35 | H04 | Huraa Dhaaira | 2345 |
| 36 | I01 | Maamigili Dhaaira | 2878 |
| 37 | I02 | Mahibadhoo Dhaaira | 2685 |
| 38 | I03 | Dhangethi Dhaaira | 2538 |
| 39 | J01 | Felidhoo Dhaaira | 1039 |
| 40 | J02 | Keyodhoo Dhaaira | 915 |
| 41 | K01 | Dhiggaru Dhaaira | 2698 |
| 42 | K02 | Mulaku Dhaaira | 2795 |
| 43 | L01 | Bileydhoo Dhaaira | 2459 |
| 44 | L02 | Nilandhoo Dhaaira | 1950 |
| 45 | M01 | Meedhoo Dhaaira | 2697 |
| 46 | M02 | Kudahuvadhoo Dhaaira | 3155 |
| 47 | N01 | Vilufushi Dhaaira | 2905 |
| 48 | N02 | Thimarafushi Dhaaira | 2874 |
| 49 | N03 | Kinbidhoo Dhaaira | 3268 |
| 50 | N04 | Guraidhoo Dhaairaa | 2707 |
| 51 | O01 | Isdhoo Dhaaira | 3305 |
| 52 | O02 | Gamu Dhaaira | 3869 |
| 53 | O03 | Fonadhoo Dhaaira | 3064 |
| 54 | O04 | Maavashu Dhaaira | 3038 |
| 55 | P01 | Vilingili Dhaaira | 2742 |
| 56 | P02 | Dhaandhoo Dhaaira | 2623 |
| 57 | P03 | Gemanafushi Dhaaira | 2967 |
| 58 | P04 | Kolamaafushi Dhaaira | 2358 |
| 59 | Q01 | Thinadhoo Uthuru Dhaairaa | 2954 |
| 60 | Q02 | Thinadhoo Dhekunu Dhaairaa | 2679 |
| 61 | Q03 | Madaveli Dhaaira | 3141 |
| 62 | Q04 | Faresmaathodaa Dhaaira | 3494 |
| 63 | Q05 | Gadhdhoo Dhaaira | 3455 |
| 64 | R01 | Fuvahmulaku uthuru Dhaairaa | 3648 |
| 65 | R02 | Fuvahmulaku medhu Dhaira | 3070 |
| 66 | R03 | Fuvahmulaku dhekunu Dhaairaa | 2843 |
| 67 | S01 | Hulhudhoo Dhaairaa | 2843 |
| 68 | S02 | Feydhoo Dhekunu Dhaairaa | 2706 |
| 69 | S03 | Maradhoo Dhaaira | 2754 |
| 70 | S04 | Hithadhoo Uthuru Dhaairaa | 4028 |
| 71 | S05 | Hithadhoo Medhu Dhaaira | 4280 |
| 72 | S06 | Hithadhoo Dhekunu Dhaaira | 4071 |
| 73 | S07 | Addu Meedhoo dhaaira | 2287 |
| 74 | S08 | Feydhoo Uthuru Dhaairaa | 2989 |
| 75 | T01 | Hulhumaale Dhekunu Dhaaira | 3193 |
| 76 | T02 | Medhu henveyru Dhaaira | 3010 |
| 77 | T03 | Henveyru Dhekunu Dhaaira | 2675 |
| 78 | T04 | Henveyru Uthuru Dhaaira | 2402 |
| 79 | T05 | Galolhu Uthuru Dhaaira | 3914 |
| 80 | T06 | Galolhu Dhekunu Dhaaira | 4033 |
| 81 | T07 | Mahchangoalhee Uthuru Dhaira | 2842 |
| 82 | T08 | Mahchangoalhee Dhekunu Dhaira | 2691 |
| 83 | T09 | Maafannu Uthuru Dhaira | 3878 |
| 84 | T10 | Maafannu Hulhangu Dhaaira | 3555 |
| 85 | T11 | Maafannu Medhu Dhaaira | 3697 |
| 86 | T12 | Maafannu Dhekunu dhaaira | 2884 |
| 87 | T13 | Villimale Dhaaira | 3227 |
| 88 | T14 | Henveyru Hulhangu Dhaaira | 2806 |
| 89 | T15 | Mahchangoalhee Medhu Dhaira | 2820 |
| 90 | T16 | Hulhumaale Medhu Dhaaira | 4230 |
| 91 | T17 | Hulhumaale Uthuru Dhaaira | 3220 |
| 92 | U01 | Mathiveri Dhaaira | 2950 |
| 93 | U02 | Thoddoo Dhaaira | 3024 |

## Speaker of the People's Majlis

A speaker is elected among the Members. The speaker chairs the meetings of the Majlis, is responsible for maintaining order in the chamber and supervises the administrative affairs of the Majlis. The speaker is next in line to be the acting president in case of a vacancy in the president's position, until a new council to govern the state is elected.
A deputy speaker is also chosen to assist the speaker of the Majlis and to run the Majlis, when the Speaker is absent or is not fit to fulfill the responsibilities of the Speaker.
| Speakership | Speakership | Speaker | Party | Deputy Speaker | Notes |
| 1 | 21 October 1933 – 25 June 1942 | Muhammad Fareed Didi | None | Unknown | |
| 2 | 27 June 1942 – 29 October 1944 | Ahmed Kamil Didi | None | Unknown | |
| 3 | 30 October 1944 – 7 November 1945 | Ibrahim Ali Didi | None | Unknown | |
| 4 | 8 November 1945 – 3 March 1948 | Ali Kuda Rannabandeyri Kilegefaanu | None | Unknown | |
| 5 | 12 April 1948 – 12 April 1952 | Muhanmadu Naseeru Maniku | None | Unknown | |
| 6 | 13 April 1952 – 21 October 1953 | Malin Musaa Mafai Kalegefaanu | None | Unknown | |
| 7 | 1 March 1954 – 3 October 1959 | Ibrahim Fareed Didi | None | Unknown | |
| 8 | 3 October 1959 – 1 August 1972 | Ahmed Zaki | None | Unknown | 1st term |
| 9 | 1 October 1972 – 11 November 1982 | Ahmed Shathir | None | Unknown | |
| 10 | 11 November 1982 – 15 January 1988 | Ibrahim Shihab | None | Unknown | |
| 11 | 14 February 1988 – 22 February 1990 | Abdulla Hameed | None | Unknown | 1st term |
| 12 | 22 February 1990 – 11 November 1993 | Ahmed Zaki | None | Unknown | 2nd term |
| 13 | 11 November 1993 – 13 September 2004 | Abdulla Hameed | None | Unknown | 2nd term |
| 14 | 13 September 2004 – 6 August 2008 | Ahmed Zahir | Unknown | Unknown | |
| 15 | 12 August 2008 – 28 May 2009 | Mohamed Shihab | Jumhooree Party | Unknown | |
| 16 | 29 May 2009 – 28 May 2014 | Abdulla Shahid | Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party | Ahmed Nazim | |
| 17 | 29 May 2014 – 1 November 2018 | Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed | Progressive Party of Maldives | Moosa Manik | |
| 18 | 1 November 2018 – 28 May 2019 | Qasim Ibrahim | Jumhooree Party | Moosa Manik | |
| 19 | 29 May 2019 – 13 November 2023 | Mohamed Nasheed | Maldivian Democratic Party | Eva Abdulla | |
| 20 | 13 November 2023 – 28 May 2024 | Mohamed Aslam | Maldivian Democratic Party | Ahmed Saleem | |
| 21 | 28 May 2024 – Incumbent | Abdul Raheem Abdulla | People's National Congress | Ahmed Nazim | [21] [22] |

## Speaker of the Special Majlis

| Portrait | Name | Entered office | Left office | Notes |
| | Abbas Ibrahim | 2004 | 2006 | Speaker of Special Majlis |

## Sittings of the Majlis

The sittings of the Majlis are divided into three sessions a year. The speaker has the authority to assign the dates for the commencing and closing of the Majlis sessions. For a Majlis session to commence, the meeting should be presided by the speaker or the deputy speaker. The quorum of the Majlis is 26 and this number is required to begin a session of the Majlis. If the quorum is not present, the speaker has to adjourn the session. Most Majlis meetings are open to the public.

## Committees

There are two types of committees in the Majlis. They are the standing committees and the selected committees. There are eleven standing committees in the Majlis, which is responsible for proposing amendments to bills or matters presented to Majlis floor, researching of the proposed bills or matters presented to the Majlis. Members are elected for a period of two and a half years for the standing committees. The responsibility of the standing committees varies, depending on its purpose.
Unlike the standing committees, the selected committees are temporary and it's dissolved, once the selected purpose is over. Usually selected committees are made to investigate or research matters related to a present circumstance or an incident. All the committees are chaired by the speaker or the deputy speaker or a person appointed by the speaker. The Majlis decides the number of members to assign to each committee.

## Majlis Secretariat

The secretariat of the Majlis was established in 1971. Since then it has been the responsibility of the Secretariat to oversee and facilitate the smooth running of the Majlis. Secretariat supports the Majlis with legislative works, manages the administrative affairs and provides technical support to the members of the Majlis. A secretary general is appointed to run the Majlis secretariat. The general supervises the Majlis secretariat.

## Legislative functions

Legislative proposals are introduced to the Majlis as bills. The government or the members present the bills to the Majlis floor. Once the bill is presented, the committee stage begins and the members debate on the provisions of the bill. Members may also propose amendments or propose to pass the bill during the debate. The members also have the right to send the bill to any of the related committee for further research and deliberation. If the bill is sent to the committees then there won't be any further debate or voting on the bill, until the committee presents its final findings about the bill.
Once the committee stage is over, members cast their votes to decide whether the bill will pass or not. If an amendment is proposed to the bill, the members votes for the amendment first. When the amendments are passed the members vote on to decide the fate of the bill. Once the bill is passed, it is sent to the president within seven days for presidential assent. The president should give his decree on the bill within thirty days or return it to the Majlis for further consideration or consideration of any amendments proposed by the president.
If the bill was not returned to the Majlis by the president or even if the president did not ratify the bill within the thirty-day period, the bill is deemed to become law. If the bill is sent back to the Majlis, the members can decide to pass the bill as it was before or they can consider the presidents observations.