President ratifies amendment reversing age limit for presidency

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has ratified the third amendment to the Constitution, reversing the age limit imposed on presidential candidates.

Parliament approved the amendment last Wednesday, at its 15th sitting of this year’s third session.

It was passed with the votes of 72 lawmakers, out of 79.

While Article 109 (c) of the Constitution originally states that a presidential candidate must be “at least 35 years of age,” an amendment made in June 2015 had set an age limit between 30 to 65 years.

Reports indicate that the amendment was made to bar Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom from contesting in the election, and pave way for then 33-year-old Ahmed Adeeb to be appointed as vice president.

While Qasim had been elected as parliament speaker following Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed’s resignation earlier this month, the decision was criticized as he was ineligible from holding office of the president.

Following ratification, it has been published in the government gazette.