Country’s new constitution signed

On 7 August 2008 President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom signed the country’s new constitution, which was completed on 26 June. The new constitution will allow multiparty elections as well as the formation of independent human rights' groups, as well as an independent judiciary and police force. A 114-member council approved the constitution before the president endorsed it. The first presidential election is scheduled to occur on 10 October, which will end the autocratic powers of presidential rule.