Open Records Laws › Maldives

Maldives

Right to Information Act

Right to Information Act (Law No. 1/2014)

Open Records Transparency: 76/100 (good) Transparency Score: 76/100

RTI Rating: 114 (source)

Response Timeline

Initial Response
21 days
Extension
14 days
Residency Required
None

21 calendar days maximum for initial response. Extension of up to 14 additional calendar days permitted for requests requiring extensive research or involving large quantities of information, provided the applicant is notified.

How to Submit a Request

Accepted Methods

  • Written — Submit RTI form to Information Officer at the public authority
  • Online — Via Information Commissioner's Office MaHoaLi portal at icom.mv/portal
  • Oral — Permitted for individuals unable to write due to physical incapacity or illiteracy. Information Officer must transcribe and sign the request.

Requests must clearly state they are made under the Right to Information Act. ID card numbers or copies are not required. Applicants do not need to state reasons for requesting information.

Required Elements

  • Name of requester
  • Address of requester
  • Phone number of requester
  • Delivery address or email address for response
  • Detailed description of information requested
  • Reference to the Right to Information Act

Fees

Fees are centrally regulated and strictly limited to actual costs of reproduction and delivery. The law explicitly prohibits charging for search, examination, collection, or verification of information. Personal information requests and public interest requests are free.

Fee Waivers

  • No fee charged when requesting own personal information or when disclosure serves the general public interest
  • Authorities must consider whether fees would obstruct access for financially disadvantaged persons, though waiver is discretionary rather than automatic

Exemptions

  • State Secrets
    Information whose disclosure constitutes an offense under Maldives law (Section 22(a)). Broadly preserves exceptions from other legislation.
  • Third Party Confidential Information
    Information received under confidentiality agreements; business/financial secrets of third parties (Section 25(a)(2), (c)). Requires showing "irrevocable damage" to business/financial interests.
  • Information Affecting Individuals
    Information that, if disclosed prematurely, could adversely affect a person or group (Section 22(d)(2)).
  • Judicial/Parliamentary Privilege
    Information revealing privileges of judicial courts or People's Majlis (Section 22(d)(3)).
  • Closed Trial Information
    Information related to trials conducted in closed sessions (Section 22(d)(4)).
  • Child Protection
    Personal, legal, or judicial information concerning minors (under 18) whose disclosure may harm their person or dignity (Section 22(d)(5)).
  • Cabinet Documents
    Documents prepared for, submitted to, or drafted for Cabinet; details of Cabinet deliberations/decisions (Section 32(a)). Exempt for 10 years only.
  • Deferred Publication
    Information required to be published under law but publication deadline not yet reached (Section 14(a)).
  • Pre-Submission Documents
    Documents prepared for presentation to People's Majlis or other authorities where scheduled presentation time has not arrived (Section 14(a)(2), (3)).
  • Investigation & Trial Privileges
    Information from investigations or trial proceedings enjoying legal privilege (Section 24(a)).
  • Justice Administration
    Information affecting ability to administer justice, determine tax/duty assessments, administer immigration rules, or determine whether to file criminal/civil charges (Section 28(a)-(d)). Requires showing "irrevocable damage".
  • Repeated Requests
    Previously answered requests where information unchanged and insufficient time has elapsed (Section 8(b)).

The Right to Information Act contains 12 exemption categories, scoring 15/30 points in RTI Rating analysis. Key weaknesses include vague standards ("adversely affect", "sufficient time"), lack of consistent harm tests, and preservation of exemptions from other laws (Section 22(a)). However, the law features a strong mandatory public interest override (Section 20(b), (c)) that applies to all exemptions. Most exemptions have a 10-year sunset clause (Section 33). The law requires severability, ensuring partial access when some information can be disclosed. Third parties have consultation rights but can delay release through appeals (Section 34).

Appeal Process

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Strong three-tier appeals system with independent Information Commissioner who has investigative powers and can issue binding decisions. Commissioner can summon persons, inspect State Institutes, review classified documents, order disclosure, impose fines, and recommend criminal investigations. Weakness: third parties can delay releases through appeals exhaustion.

Sources & References