On Republic Day, Editors' Roundtable questions whether Maldives truly functions as a republic

Marking Republic Day on 11 November, the Editors' Roundtable programme this week raised the question of whether Maldivians truly benefit from a republican system, despite electing the President and members of the People's Majlis by secret ballot every five years. The Maldives' first republic was established on 1 January 1953 under the leadership of Mohamed Ameen Didi, but that government ended within a short period and the country reverted to a monarchy. On 11 November 1968, the country became a republic for the second time through a vote of the people. The article notes that the main purpose of a republic is to place the powers of governance with the people, to elect leaders by vote, to uphold the rule of law, to separate the three powers of the state and to protect fundamental rights. Although the Constitution that came into force in 2008 set out all the fundamental features of a republic, the editors noted major difficulties in implementing that system in practice. Within the legal framework, the three powers have been separated and independent institutions such as the Elections Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Human Rights Commission (HRCM) have been created. However, the editors noted that almost all governments to date have been run, and continue to be run, by concentrating powers. According to the editors, when governments obtain a majority in the People's Majlis, the concentration of powers becomes boundless. They also cited obstacles to preventing political influence being exerted on the judicial sector and independent institutions, the government not being fully accountable because of the way the Majlis majority exists, and corruption and the improper use of state resources. To run a complete republic, the editors said the composition of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) must be kept apart from political influence to free the judicial sector, and that a system must be strengthened to hold the government accountable by prioritising national interest over party interest. They also noted the importance of appointing honest individuals to the ACC, the Elections Commission, the HRCM and the Auditor General's Office and giving them budget and authority, and of taking measures against corruption by disclosing state agreements and expenditures. In addition, the editors said it is necessary to implement a decentralised system by giving councils financial and administrative authority, to reform campaign finance in a transparent manner, to strengthen internal democracy within political parties, and to expand the role of independent journalism and civil society organisations.