Right to Information (RTI)

What is Right to Information?

The Right to Information (RTI) is a fundamental right that empowers citizens to access information held by public institutions. In the Maldives, the Right to Information Act ensures that citizens can request and receive information from government bodies, state institutions, and public authorities, promoting transparency, accountability, and democratic participation.

Why RTI Matters

The Right to Information is essential for:

• Transparency: Ensuring public institutions operate openly and accountably
• Accountability: Holding government officials and institutions responsible for their actions
• Democratic Participation: Enabling informed citizen engagement in governance
• Anti-Corruption: Exposing wrongdoing and preventing misuse of public resources
• Public Trust: Building confidence in government institutions through openness

RTI in the Maldives

The Maldives Right to Information Act (Law No. 1/2014) establishes the legal framework for citizens to access information from public institutions. The Act mandates that all state institutions must provide information upon request, subject to certain exemptions for national security, privacy, and other legitimate concerns.

How to Submit an RTI Request

To request information under the Right to Information Act:

1. Identify the institution that holds the information you need
2. Submit a written request (can be in Dhivehi or English) to the Information Officer of that institution
3. Clearly specify the information you are seeking
4. Include your contact information
5. Wait for a response (institutions must respond within 21 days)

RTI Resources and Links

What Information Can You Request?

Under the RTI Act, you can request various types of information from public institutions, including:

• Official documents, reports, and records
• Meeting minutes and decisions
• Budget and financial information
• Policy documents and guidelines
• Contract and procurement information
• Staff and organizational information (subject to privacy laws)
• Parliamentary records and proceedings

Exemptions

Certain information may be exempt from disclosure, including:

• Information that would harm national security or defense
• Personal information that would violate privacy rights
• Information protected by legal professional privilege
• Commercial or trade secrets
• Information that would prejudice law enforcement investigations

However, even exempt information may be disclosed if the public interest in disclosure outweighs the harm.

Appeals Process

If your RTI request is denied or not properly addressed, you have the right to appeal:

1. First, appeal to the head of the institution
2. If unsatisfied, appeal to the Information Commissioner's Office
3. Further appeals can be made to the courts if necessary

Maldives Majlis Monitoring and RTI

Maldives Majlis Monitoring supports transparency and accountability in the People's Majlis. While we compile publicly available information, we encourage citizens to exercise their Right to Information to access detailed records, documents, and information directly from parliamentary and government institutions.

For official parliamentary records, detailed committee reports, or specific documents, please submit RTI requests to the People's Majlis or relevant government institutions.