President ratifies amendment to change age for qualification as president

The Amendment Bill to the Constitution proposing to change the age for qualification as president and vice president to between 30 and 65, has been ratified by President Abdulla Yameen.

This has been confirmed to Sun Online by President’s Office Spokesperson Ibrahim Muaz Ali.

The bill was passed by the parliament yesterday with 77 votes in favour, and two against.

The bill received votes in favour by MPs representing the government coalition, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), as well as the opposition, Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) and Jumhooree Party (JP).

The bill was submitted to the parliament by Hoarafushi MP Mohamed Ismail.

Prior to this, there was no upper age limit for running for president. Article 109 of the Constitution stated that a person elected as president shall be at least of 35 years of age. As for the vice president, Article 112 stated that the qualifications shall be the same as those for the president.