Associations Act Endorsed By President Solih

The Associations Act (Law No: 03/2022) was passed by the Maldivian Parliament at its 32^nd sitting held on April 18^th 2022. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih endorsed the bill on May 9^th, 2022.
 
The legislation controls the specifics of exercising the constitutional right to form associations, including incorporation, registration, and regulation; general rights and obligations of such groups; and the Registrar of Associations' functions.
 
It aims to create a mechanism for ensuring association accountability and a legal framework for associations to contribute to society's growth. The law also defines terminology for fundraising, financial obligations, and registered association dissolution.
 
The law requires the President to appoint a Registrar of Associations within 30 days after its adoption, and gives him or her the authority to appoint and dismiss them. The registrar is charged with developing the required legal norms and regulations. It also gives the registrar the authority to dissolve dormant groups that do not pay annual fees or satisfy a six-month deadline to pay penalty owed.

The law was published today in the Government Gazette and will take effect six months after it is ratified. With its passage, the new law repeals the Associations Act (Act No. 1/2003).