National integrity system assessment : Maldives 2014

Abstract

The National Integrity System of the Maldives is based on the following key institutions: the core government agencies of Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary; the public sector agencies, the Civil Service and law enforcement agencies; the Elections Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission, and Auditor General’s Office; the media, Civil Society Organisations, political parties and private sector businesses. Whilst there are strengths associated with some of the institutions intellectually, the interconnectedness in their formation and functioning entails a considerable number of institutional shortcomings that weaken the overall National Integrity System of the Maldives. Most importantly, political bias created through intermingled political thinking and practices embedded in key political institutions, including the legislature and the Executive, reduces the capacity of other institutions to function independently. Moreover, political bias embedded in the institutional framework further reduces the level of accountability, transparency and integrity functions of almost all the institutions.