Constitution to be amended to begin Presidential term on 11th November

The government of Maldives plans to amend its constitution to change the start date of its Presidential Term to November 11th, said Attorney General Ahmed Usham today.

Speaking at a press conference at the President's Office, Usham said that his office will propose to begin the Presidential Term on 11th November. However, he highlighted that the matter requires a public vote.

Maldives celebrates 11th November as its Republic Day, to commemorate Maldives becoming a republic for the second time in 1968. Along with being Republic Day, once in every five years, this day also marks the oath taking of the country's new president.

However, in 2013, the Supreme Court voided the first round of Presidential Elections, which pushed former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Qayyoom's oath taking to 17th November.

Since then the Presidential Term has been starting on this day.

Although some believed former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih should have taken his oath on 11th November back in 2018, he decided to go forward with 17th November as the date.

He too decided to change the dates. However, it was never implemented, and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu also took oath on 17th November.