Constitution amended: Referendum needed to amend clause on public opinion

The Parliament of Maldives today passed an amendment to the constitution which require public opinion for any changes to Article 262(b), which mandates public referendums for amendments to significant Articles in the Constitution.

Article 262(b) of the Constitution states that amendments to the Constitution passed by parliament come into force only with the written assent of the President. However, for the following provisions, the President must grant assent only after a public referendum approves the amendment by a majority of votes cast for the following provisions: