Maldives became a Republic on November 11, 1968. Each year, this day is marked as the Republic Day of Maldives. Today the country marks its 49th Republic Day.
The core principle of a republic system is governing a country through representatives elected by the people, for the betterment of the whole community. This system is also based on the decisions made by people and involving people in changes brought to the system. A republic system of governance was first introduced to the Maldives, back in 1953. Mohamed Ameen was elected the first president of Maldives.
However, the change did not last long, as within 7 months, the system reverted to a sultanate but the new sultanate was also did not last long. Historical documents show that the masses were not satisfied with the rule of the sultans followed President Ameen's regime. With teeming political rivalry within the royal family, citizens became more and more frustrated with the monarchy. This resulted in the public longing for a republic system of governance, just 15 years into the sultanate.
Under this objective the issue was presented to the parliament floor on October 5, 1967. The parliament voted in favor of establishing republic system of governance. A referendum was held on November 11, 1968, declaring the second Republic with then Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir as the President. He served two terms as President. He was followed on November 11, 1978 by Ustad Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who served as president for 30 years. President Gayoom competed and lost to Mohamed Nasheed in 2008, in the first ever multi-party presidential election. Mohamed Nasheed resigned on February 7, 2012. His Vice President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan was then appointed President. The next presidential election was held in 2013. Current Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom was sworn in as the fifth president of the second Republic on November 17, 2013.
Unlike the first republic system of governance introduced in the country, the second republic system of governance came in, fortified sustainable and strengthened features to boast 49 successful years of the people's rule. Major changes have been brought to the principles of governance which resulted in national progress in various fields.