Asia’s longest serving ruler, Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is set to contest for a record seventh term, with the drafting of a new Constitution in its final stages.

Maldivian political sources said it was a matter of time before the new Constitution is enacted as the ruling Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party (DRP), has the required majority in the Special Majlis (Constitutional Assembly).

However, a spokesman for the Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), said that President Gayoom’s future still revolves around interpretation of the two term limit on the Presidency in the Transitional Chapter. "We will pursue the matter through the  Supreme Court due to be created under a new Constitution."

 Opposition political parties including the MDP, have called for a transitional government in the run up to the Presidential Election, likely to be held a month ahead of the November 11 scheduled date.

However, it has been rejected by the Government which says "all checks and balances will be in place for the conduct of a free and fair poll once a new Constitution is enacted."

Meanwhile, the Maldivian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Ali Hussein Didi said that his government despite having majorities in both the Special Majlis and Majlis (Parliament), does not intend steam roll legislation. "We respect the right of the Opposition to dissent and have also put up with periodic disruption of proceedings in both houses. This proves our commitment to the democratic process. Otherwise a new  Constitution could have been enacted by now."