The Speaker of the

People's Majlis The People's Majlis () 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 Mon ...

is the presiding officer of the unicameral legislature of the

Republic of Maldives The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, and historically known as the Maldive Islands, is an archipelagic country in South Asia located in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is southwest of Sri Lanka and India, about from the Asian c ...

, known as the

. As the highest-ranking official in the legislature, the Speaker plays a crucial role in overseeing the legislative process, maintaining order during debates, and representing the People's Majlis both domestically and internationally. Among the Members, a Speaker is elected to oversee the proceedings of the Majlis, ensuring order within the chamber and managing its administrative functions. In the event of a vacancy in the presidency, the Speaker assumes the role of acting president until a new governing body is elected. Additionally, a Deputy Speaker is appointed to support the Speaker and assume leadership of the Majlis in their absence or incapacity to fulfill their duties.

History

King Muhammad Shamsuddeen III established a council tasked with crafting the

Constitution of the Maldives The Constitution of the Maldives () is the supreme law of the country of Maldives. It provides the legal foundation for the existence of the Republic of Maldives, sets out the rights and duties of the citizens of the Maldives, and defines the ...

on March 9, 1931. After its completion, the constitution was officially put into effect on December 22, 1932. This foundational document paved the way for the inaugural Senate of the-then

Sultanate of Maldive Islands The Sultanate of the Maldive IslandsXavier Romero-Frias, ''The Maldive Islanders, A Study of the Popular Culture of an Ancient Ocean Kingdom'', Barcelona 1999, was an Islamic monarchy that controlled the Maldives for over eight centuries (1153– ...

, with its gatherings convened at the "Hakura Ganduvaru". Al Ameer Mohammed Farid Didi assumed the role of the first president or speaker of the Senate. Since the

Maldives The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, and historically known as the Maldive Islands, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in South Asia located in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is southwest of Sri Lanka and India, abou ...

adopted a multi-party democracy in 2008, the Speaker of the

has been a pivotal figure in the country's political scene. They are elected by members of the Majlis and serve as the presiding officer during parliamentary sessions. The Speaker ensures that debates are conducted fairly, rules on procedural matters, and represents the Majlis in official capacities.

Speakers

Notes

References

{{Reflist 1933 establishments in the Maldives Government of the Maldives