Supreme Court proceeds with anti-defection constitutional challenge

A digest of yesterday's top story.

Supreme Court grills state attorneys over jurisdiction on constitutional challenge

A digest of yesterday's top story.

Foreign freeholds amendment repealed from constitution

The prohibition on foreign ownership of Maldivian territory was restored.

Constitution amended to remove age limit for presidency

An age limit of 65 years for presidential candidates was scrapped.

Parliament considers five-year terms for local councils

MP Ahmed Amir of the government-aligned Maldives Development Alliance proposed amending the constitution to increase the term of local councils from three to five years.

In letter to Modi, Yameen pledges to keep Indian Ocean demilitarized

President Abdulla Yameen, in a letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has assured India that Maldives will keep the Indian Ocean demilitarized and will not allow foreign military bases in the Maldives, report Indian media.

Foreign freeholds will not threaten Indian Ocean security, assures President Yameen

After ratifying the second amendment to the constitution today, President Yameen sought to allay fears over foreign ownership of land in the Maldives, assuring the public that freeholds will not threat Indian Ocean security or lead to “enslavement” and scarcity of land.

Majlis approves foreign freeholds in second amendment to constitution

Some 70 MPs voted to allow foreigners to own land in the Maldives. Opposing MPs expressed concern over lack of public debate and say the amendments paves the way for Chinese military expansion in the Maldives. The second constitutional amendment was approved within 24 hours of it being submitted to the Majlis.

Amendments raise fear of Chinese military expansion in the Maldives

Proposed constitutional amendments to allow foreign ownership of land in the Maldives will allow China to establish military facilities in the Maldives and destabilize the Indian Ocean, a source within the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has said.

Second amendment on foreign land ownership likely to pass

Some 64 MPs voted to consider the constitutional amendment and sent it to a special committee for review. Minority leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said the government must consider Indian Ocean security in awarding land to foreign parties. A final vote is expected on Wednesday afternoon.

Comment: Whose pragmatism? Which principles?

Majlis amends constitution, sets new age-limits for presidency

Nasheed’s house arrest extended, opposition backs age-limits for presidency

Gayoom ‘unhappy’ with age limits for presidency

JP leader backs law that would bar him from presidency

Adeeb will be new vice president on July 26, says PPM MP

Parliament to consider age limits for the presidency

Constitutional amendment to limit number of parliamentarians lacks support