The international community will be invited to monitor Maldives first multi party election scheduled for October 10,visiting Deputy Maldivian Minister Abdullah Hameed said.

Addressing a news conference in Colombo last week,he said that the international community would include the United Nations and European Union."We want to conduct a free and fair presidential election and the presence of the UN and EU will prove our commitment to the reform process.It would also satisfy opposition demands for the conduct of a transparent election."

Seven political parties including the ruling Dhivehi Raiyyithunge Party (DRP) and Maldivian Democratic Party(MDP),have registered for the poll.The DRP has unanimously nominated President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom as their candidate while Mohammed Nasheed has been named as the MDP’s candidate.The other parties are yet to officially announce their presidential candidates.

Hameed, said that the Bill to enact a new constitution, has to be gazetted within 90 days of April 20,2008 – the date on which it was approved by the Special Majlis (Constitutional Assembly),but Gayoom is keen on concluding the process soon."The scrutinisation process is scheduled to be completed by next week.So the Bill should take legal effect shortly."

The Maldivian Commissioner of Legal Reform,Mohamed Anil said that  they had borrowed extensively from international law in drafting the archipelago's new constitution,which would replace the one enacted in 1998.

Asked about the two term limit imposed on the  presidency,he said that was a matter for interpretation by the interim Supreme Court which has to be established within 45 days of the new  constitution being enacted."The judges of the Supreme Court will be appointed by an interim Judicial Service Commission which  has to be set up  within thirty days of the new constitution coming into force."

Anil,said that the establishment of Proper Judicial Service,Elections and Anti Corruption Commissions,within sixty days of the new Constitution being enacted,would further strengthen the democratic process.

The JSC,will comprise representatives of the President,Parliament and unofficial bar,the Speaker,President of the Civil Service Commission,a citizen appointed by parliament and one member each from the High Court,lower courts and the Supreme Court,he added.

Questioned about  the possibility of malpractices due to the present administration  continuing in power until after the Presidential Election,Anil said that provision has also been made  for the creation of a Civil Service ."So only the Atoll Chiefs can be appointed by the government."