National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Constitution: 4 June 1968
Legal system: based on Islamic law with admixtures of English common law primarily in commercial matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11 November
1978); note—the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
head of government: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM (since 11
November 1978); note—the president is both the chief of state and
head of government
cabinet: Ministry of Atolls appointed by the president; note—need
not be members of Majlis
elections: president elected by secret ballot of the Majlis for a
five-year term; election last held 1 October 1993 (next to be held
NA October 1998)
election results: President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM reelected; percent
of Majlis vote—Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM 92.76%
Legislative branch: unicameral Citizens' Council or Majlis (48
seats; 40 elected by popular vote, 8 appointed by the president;
members serve five-year terms)
elections: last held 2 December 1994 (next to be held NA December
1999)
election results: percent of vote—NA; seats—independents 40
Judicial branch: High Court
Political parties and leaders: although political parties are not
banned, none exist
International organization participation: AsDB, C, CCC, CP,
ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IMF, IMO,
Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW,
SAARC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in the US: Maldives does not have an
embassy in the US, but does have a Permanent Mission to the UN in
New York