Digital Transformation Bill Submitted to Parliament to Modernize Maldivian Governance

The administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has submitted the ‘Maldives 2.0’ Digital Transformation Bill to the Majlis, marking a significant step toward the complete modernization of the nation's governance framework. Introduced by Gadhdhoo MP Mohamed Ali, the bill seeks to overhaul the delivery of state services. By implementing a "digital-first" strategy, the government aims to replace outdated administrative procedures with reliable, secure, and sustainable technological solutions designed to increase efficiency and restore public trust in state institutions. A central feature of the proposed legislation is the creation of the ‘Maldives Digital Service.’ This specialized agency will absorb all personnel and responsibilities from the current digital service under the Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology. While the agency will remain under the ministry's jurisdiction, its sole mandate will be the provision of state information and communications technology services and the maintenance of critical digital infrastructure. The presiding cabinet minister will remain accountable to Parliament for the agency's performance. To ensure high-level oversight and technical precision, the bill introduces several new leadership roles and bodies. The President will appoint a Commissioner for Digital Technology to serve as the chief executive. Supporting this role will be a Digital Governance Advisory Committee, tasked with drafting technical standards. Strategic direction will be provided by a seven-member Digital Transformation Council. This high-level body will include the President, relevant cabinet ministers, the digital commissioner, the head of the communications authority, and a technical expert. Together, they will define the overarching policies that will guide the nation's digital evolution. Once ratified, the legislation will mandate the development of a comprehensive ‘Maldives 2.0 Roadmap.’ This long-term strategy will prioritize the creation of a secure digital identity system, a unified citizen portal to streamline access to services, and a robust framework for data-sharing across government agencies.